tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61826285341876219752024-03-14T02:59:03.598-07:00Move to ContactThis is Warwick Kinrade's wargames blogWarwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-73461794603808251602024-03-13T06:32:00.000-07:002024-03-13T06:32:56.286-07:00Points 96 and 77 - Encounter at the Two Charlies, with Battlegroup: Tobruk<p>A rare game in the desert, which as shame as I really enjoy this theatre. This one was a 600 pt meeting engagement, Brit’s 7th Armoured Division vs Italian Ariete Division, in late ’41. The game would see a battle for two low desert hills, Points 96 and 77, Big and Little Charlie. Both had objectives on them, with two others, one close the Italian entry corner, and one close the British corner, so, the two hills were really the only ones to fight over.<br /><br />Here is my Battlegroup:<br />FHQ+staff car <br />Radio comms vehicle - Dorchester<br />Dispatch Rider<br /><br />Motor rifle section - 7 men in light truck<br /><br />A13 tank platoon<br />Crusader II tank platoon<br />Crusader II tank platoon<br />1 Captured M11/39<br /><br />2 x 3” mortars (off-table) <br /><br />Motor infantry patrol - 7 men in light truck<br />Armoured car command - Daimler Dingo<br />Vickers light tank VI C <br /><br />Supply truck<br />Heavy repair truck<br />Carrier section - 3 x 3 men in 3 Brens<br />Timed P-40 Tomahawk air strike<br />1 1st Target Priority Request<br /><br /><br />It began with the recce clash, both moving towards Little Charlie objective, the Italian motorcycle troops dismounting, the armoured car coming under BESA fire and pinned by the British light tank. That short fight would see the Italians claim the objective first, but then withdraw as the main British forces arrived from reserve and moved in their direction. The British could then reclaim Little Charlie and the initial turns of fighting here died down.<br /><br />The main forces had started to arrive, at a glacial pace as neither side could roll well. As 1 and 2 units moved on, mortar fire was exchanged, resulting first in the unlucky loss of an A13 to a direct hit, then the Italian commander’s FIAT staff car went up in smoke, the commander himself lucky to escape unharmed. As both side’s traded medium mortar fire, the tanks moved on, with some infantry support, both moving against Big Charlie. The lead Crusader suffered an immediate Breakdown and was immobilised. The leader M13, climbing the hill’s slope, engine burst into flames and the crew abandoned it… ‘Wear and Tear’ rule in effect. Both sides continued their build-up and unleashed their timed air strikes, first a Tomahawk bombed the gap between the hills, only pinning an Italian MG team covering it. The Regia Aeronautica’s fighter bombed Little Charlie and pinned the recce infantry patrol… but both had forced a counter on the enemy – job done. <br /><br />By turn 5 or 6 the British attack on Big Charlie was underway, infantry had dismounted into rocky cover and one tank reached the top to claim the objective, the others turned right to circumvent the hill, Bren carrier teams just behind, but another Crusader broke down, this time with an engine fire and was abandoned. In the centre, tanks were trading long range fire to the occasional glancing hit, and wasting their ammo. But, both had a supply truck on hand now anyway. The British radios had given up the ghost, with the Dorchester comms re-rolls failing for 3 turns on the trot… useless. No mortar fire then, but it would come back when the Dingo spotter changed position to get a better view, as the desert dust rule took effect. The Italians were building up behind the big hill, out of sight. The crucible of the battle would come here. <br /><br />The main fight for Big Charlie saw the Crusaders come around the hill and meet the waiting 47mm anti-tank gun and infantry support. The Italians were short on other AT shots, and forced to send their tankettes forwards to meet the Crusaders on top of the hill, one with an anti-tank rifle, the other a flame-thrower. Both got off shots, pins, and then were hit and destroyed by return fire. The Italian infantry were trying to pin the Crusaders with area fire, but having no luck (and you need a lot). The Crusader’s co-ax machine guns kept the infantry pinned and the Bren teams joined them. Losing the 2” mortar team to rifle fire as it reached the hill’s summit. The Italian light mortar did sterling work in scoring pins on two Crusaders in 2 shots. The fighting got hot, and both sides were unpinning, but when the Italian anti-tank gun crew was machine gunned, the defence behind the hill was in a lot of trouble. The Crusaders could now turn their 2 pdr guns on the various Lancia, FIAT, etc trucks parked behind… and started destroying them with 2 pdr rounds through the engines. <br /><br />Big Charlie all but lost, the Italians put in a brief second attack on Little Charlie, an M13 and more motorcycle troops racing (OK, no M13 races anywhere), up to try and take back the little hill top. But that attack floundered when an A13 KO’d the M13 with a side shot (the only tank KO’d by AP fire all game) and the infantry were pinned down by more BESA fire. That was it, the Ariete had shot their bolt and unpinning resulted in them breaking.<br /><br />7th Armoured had claimed both high points and won a solid victory. 1 A13 lost to mortar fire, 2 Crusaders lost (breakdown and a mine-strike) and 2 more broken down, so the armour had taken the brunt of the fight. The Italians had 1 of their 3 tanks left, but out of ammo… and withdrawing to resupply<br /><br />A fun desert fight, we’ve decided to play a few more desert-based games, one for each year, so as we did for the Eastern Front last year, we’ll play one game for ’41, ’42 and then ’43… a mini-series of three games. My guess is, the DAK turn up next for a Gazala fight for ’42. <br /><br />Shots of the game. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhglSTszH76H3gNLWjh0Y9u_Dtt-u0re54A5N4XHjDC6iHpZQgM9nPaEvzoJHB3MrSJ7S9Klv0PCuG7KPPQ3Df9_pOZxzkoHLQBp5p7iE7oUa8IIHiCcu5jcuBPz_NL0q5kiGE9oF_fBtYk0Kz6DIVJIbhQAl7U3H8hSdu3BkLOzyW97YQN4V4zOfGTsX/s638/IMG_20240308_185135777%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhglSTszH76H3gNLWjh0Y9u_Dtt-u0re54A5N4XHjDC6iHpZQgM9nPaEvzoJHB3MrSJ7S9Klv0PCuG7KPPQ3Df9_pOZxzkoHLQBp5p7iE7oUa8IIHiCcu5jcuBPz_NL0q5kiGE9oF_fBtYk0Kz6DIVJIbhQAl7U3H8hSdu3BkLOzyW97YQN4V4zOfGTsX/w400-h294/IMG_20240308_185135777%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brits in blue, Italians in red, the fight for the two hill objectives. Little Charlie bottom right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8hRCpU7o9qzlS4t5uw6qeZEAtLIH7FkC3NIFpoprT4mPgGhoWpw4OCr_EJS7dQ3yZ6G1jFJXjC98elV6D12hUPrrr7tqkE-RS0V8U9mWeQ5RAwzsOjZ4w7F5wXGfAHlI0GGeqjQ1J-kFtTjOK3ZjF92H_uIpxOSpuGjiIXMWgJbNhZjv_gE4AR4iJrqi/s638/IMG_20240309_101606224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8hRCpU7o9qzlS4t5uw6qeZEAtLIH7FkC3NIFpoprT4mPgGhoWpw4OCr_EJS7dQ3yZ6G1jFJXjC98elV6D12hUPrrr7tqkE-RS0V8U9mWeQ5RAwzsOjZ4w7F5wXGfAHlI0GGeqjQ1J-kFtTjOK3ZjF92H_uIpxOSpuGjiIXMWgJbNhZjv_gE4AR4iJrqi/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_101606224.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Charlie sees the first recce clash and a mortar stonk. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBSL9XygNUAcEgNtYRkI0Fe8-vVvFtq2giseEtF9jJMYCoYp4i73MpZS-G7UADWI2nRVYJ91i1ustEZvVy3YyzPu6f7_rj5GsJxhOMLn_9WhIx4J_VDAd66EiU4dsNonpc9vdRyrZhkA89lfo_RMaWIp-IP1R9Myr4cYduW_bupFoqZ0IAH7zOH39KQZd/s638/IMG_20240309_101621904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBSL9XygNUAcEgNtYRkI0Fe8-vVvFtq2giseEtF9jJMYCoYp4i73MpZS-G7UADWI2nRVYJ91i1ustEZvVy3YyzPu6f7_rj5GsJxhOMLn_9WhIx4J_VDAd66EiU4dsNonpc9vdRyrZhkA89lfo_RMaWIp-IP1R9Myr4cYduW_bupFoqZ0IAH7zOH39KQZd/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_101621904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo spots for the mortars from the rear, until the dust cloud meant he had to move up. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzVdYmU_8ZW8lv8VpPH8NbKGZdzNZdovL3oBUjNgKNDyQ5oANw2igavCALKlWh6EDxduybV4l3zLYXqY8Yh1yiSrKO6woHEjOHF3myADraQy2MZn8py7ztKftweQWGriR9BIulVzhctykEqGYuevvMnw612zxFFiU2JaU1h8yVO6B3R5EKquCdLvFsG8L/s638/IMG_20240309_110612024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzVdYmU_8ZW8lv8VpPH8NbKGZdzNZdovL3oBUjNgKNDyQ5oANw2igavCALKlWh6EDxduybV4l3zLYXqY8Yh1yiSrKO6woHEjOHF3myADraQy2MZn8py7ztKftweQWGriR9BIulVzhctykEqGYuevvMnw612zxFFiU2JaU1h8yVO6B3R5EKquCdLvFsG8L/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_110612024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crusaders arrive, and the first one instantly breakdowns... it starts... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAwlziunNtXAJmamx7Cs8pDhxP6S_0x53CS-t8Zly0AOlJIbwsujvUhADLhCIIvaXDOd2DEigg8cHGZw512MuCbYBPqi57GA8XphXA8siYPx8aiPocUCeyHAyEZe-SSqHBBmn0H67zHw__hasqdb7MJxjyHrewmXE0qOHWsq7qmpWIrRjmCLVmHxa8O7K/s638/IMG_20240309_110439373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAwlziunNtXAJmamx7Cs8pDhxP6S_0x53CS-t8Zly0AOlJIbwsujvUhADLhCIIvaXDOd2DEigg8cHGZw512MuCbYBPqi57GA8XphXA8siYPx8aiPocUCeyHAyEZe-SSqHBBmn0H67zHw__hasqdb7MJxjyHrewmXE0qOHWsq7qmpWIrRjmCLVmHxa8O7K/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_110439373.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomahawk bombing run in the gap between the two hills. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt4F7G7C9WEJhJ8_9eY9QFqtmsGhKtajA16J70-vcHSMnUpQZgHhcQPhS3KyP8MN_jtadANVi1gUm-EbyLMvc4JAzU-sGNxtKopHfsZEbrAyQ1VogUILDOAr0R6tXs0x30bJE30TM1-uU12qLNdMOLsBREvpmFOW4NjZWoFCXXX0LLGAmyC4oB0nXLX98/s638/IMG_20240309_105253301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt4F7G7C9WEJhJ8_9eY9QFqtmsGhKtajA16J70-vcHSMnUpQZgHhcQPhS3KyP8MN_jtadANVi1gUm-EbyLMvc4JAzU-sGNxtKopHfsZEbrAyQ1VogUILDOAr0R6tXs0x30bJE30TM1-uU12qLNdMOLsBREvpmFOW4NjZWoFCXXX0LLGAmyC4oB0nXLX98/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_105253301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recce infantry section in cover behind Little Charlie. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRho74BOaEuqHfe54OWJR1pGFwpBMpSI4w1JeOwl1vZSPDYlrajxTLj4hJFxo8lpBoVUEtAPKWk1o5xFJGaxTwNSnXd18CcfXZPtf_7v3EShb3b6t8G2laS52OZpudQz3xCn3r8d_PZu9JKYAqLoaxWRJq5-aTLmhqlHzhHoBRAcXAh7b0fqH8k_d9ZPl/s638/IMG_20240309_105241919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRho74BOaEuqHfe54OWJR1pGFwpBMpSI4w1JeOwl1vZSPDYlrajxTLj4hJFxo8lpBoVUEtAPKWk1o5xFJGaxTwNSnXd18CcfXZPtf_7v3EShb3b6t8G2laS52OZpudQz3xCn3r8d_PZu9JKYAqLoaxWRJq5-aTLmhqlHzhHoBRAcXAh7b0fqH8k_d9ZPl/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_105241919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busiest unit on the field, recovery Matador. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8id6HkARR4MMiV5mXIRZh35e9-zLuTnAVz7vICU3eF7-W9wYLMTpxPegXwkBQmcSuKo_Esv_PaRuslOTNhLfDEWMFHhVrwdVZkQfPKLq4hskTMn4LAPrLCNNib2Nq8B125WaqWrVNGkp09QAd-mTgeC7VwSBEiJzoXIx3rf0f3pKpqJ4yEeKtynups7O/s638/IMG_20240309_103455712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8id6HkARR4MMiV5mXIRZh35e9-zLuTnAVz7vICU3eF7-W9wYLMTpxPegXwkBQmcSuKo_Esv_PaRuslOTNhLfDEWMFHhVrwdVZkQfPKLq4hskTMn4LAPrLCNNib2Nq8B125WaqWrVNGkp09QAd-mTgeC7VwSBEiJzoXIx3rf0f3pKpqJ4yEeKtynups7O/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_103455712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A13 arrive and trade long range fire, to little effect. A stray mortar round KO'd one. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u1RLBin2OSs1qYy7ME6Tg75FsBQa5wBsK_1I3EXua863UwbXpd7GDvLVM5iS_48xVX_EPmFz40kAG8Vlmi1whWiLogRU8-gZVVnPDCU7_lW7mu9L8F7gImppe6fG9VBghvvxz3p6VcLEvXtJeEWyv_gxYeIY6Tbh19wXqD4qAUXIILyaoLpjl93bNFP0/s638/IMG_20240309_110629495.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u1RLBin2OSs1qYy7ME6Tg75FsBQa5wBsK_1I3EXua863UwbXpd7GDvLVM5iS_48xVX_EPmFz40kAG8Vlmi1whWiLogRU8-gZVVnPDCU7_lW7mu9L8F7gImppe6fG9VBghvvxz3p6VcLEvXtJeEWyv_gxYeIY6Tbh19wXqD4qAUXIILyaoLpjl93bNFP0/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_110629495.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their target... if you hit, you can't penetrate anyway. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVx1XpflBN5KNKoOi_nEz9ikz9Q3ySeyGRgFbiSICDe4L1DTNvleQY480BSDFKbYq3OfnCgUlSTMolFVhND8GwI6MMSHVfnwIDAkTLR_9tVL5j8ZtSvMLrU-G47SM9eGt-ubHNIHaLbKP-M1NCC5l_yTtuD4xBcYfYqlzKq6T2vrDjxBE81R9qIN0Uku6/s638/IMG_20240309_112627435.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVx1XpflBN5KNKoOi_nEz9ikz9Q3ySeyGRgFbiSICDe4L1DTNvleQY480BSDFKbYq3OfnCgUlSTMolFVhND8GwI6MMSHVfnwIDAkTLR_9tVL5j8ZtSvMLrU-G47SM9eGt-ubHNIHaLbKP-M1NCC5l_yTtuD4xBcYfYqlzKq6T2vrDjxBE81R9qIN0Uku6/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_112627435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Crusader rush, one immobilised, one on fire... not from enemy action. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikemPLe5rbn3Yh4LAhsrn7JEczQjYqTPEAxyXFS0RsfRHUuQnFWQSH26ayKB-5TWasVEQDcHEP5dfCQhFB1iPbyAgUyi6GK2kyKW1I09qTXuur6QedMCMVuKnoxALW9Ukhac6YwO3q8wVTsp3YO_BeTcN8KQxuZm5l2FDQq-UYtfj7lds4jaFrUVogm4Dx/s638/IMG_20240309_112637573.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikemPLe5rbn3Yh4LAhsrn7JEczQjYqTPEAxyXFS0RsfRHUuQnFWQSH26ayKB-5TWasVEQDcHEP5dfCQhFB1iPbyAgUyi6GK2kyKW1I09qTXuur6QedMCMVuKnoxALW9Ukhac6YwO3q8wVTsp3YO_BeTcN8KQxuZm5l2FDQq-UYtfj7lds4jaFrUVogm4Dx/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_112637573.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recce tank still doing good work with his 15mm BESA... handy firepower at Little Charlie. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTQJ7MQ0smBcDxrGd5p9MFqODrUZ-VsEW63K1YRNOvxQHA66IG8z-iiBQDWTkicQ-_ZIE7zWtaMjuRiTeVhyxHsUMbSwDY8MuejjhDitwARHWFgmKdOGtVo4o_yaAlFEKKFGzacwn0Iv9SYZAziR0PYXPYwwXAI2tnkIxHSNkgJlMY2H8BVbjoStiED7M/s638/IMG_20240309_112648907.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTQJ7MQ0smBcDxrGd5p9MFqODrUZ-VsEW63K1YRNOvxQHA66IG8z-iiBQDWTkicQ-_ZIE7zWtaMjuRiTeVhyxHsUMbSwDY8MuejjhDitwARHWFgmKdOGtVo4o_yaAlFEKKFGzacwn0Iv9SYZAziR0PYXPYwwXAI2tnkIxHSNkgJlMY2H8BVbjoStiED7M/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_112648907.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured M13... too slow to keep up... it wasted most of its ammo. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnTpBhLuff5Zudk8uUgzCjtk3ezbOdakSy4IzWe2UnlfKB5hS0DlBj-eHUE-BNgOEbVKshgddNIAcyM8MG6icdevhBGqHMGwgBMBre8iWbk1XMiFDCFx-QO1Ow4V8oKQsi6CxXAxle74PsssWe_UfgVBIP5Rn1K5pqg_tvzf0-R27nw3vpGg234MLV2Zq/s638/IMG_20240309_112803972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnTpBhLuff5Zudk8uUgzCjtk3ezbOdakSy4IzWe2UnlfKB5hS0DlBj-eHUE-BNgOEbVKshgddNIAcyM8MG6icdevhBGqHMGwgBMBre8iWbk1XMiFDCFx-QO1Ow4V8oKQsi6CxXAxle74PsssWe_UfgVBIP5Rn1K5pqg_tvzf0-R27nw3vpGg234MLV2Zq/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_112803972.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanks reach the top of Big Charlie. The M13 then went up in flames. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qcSIhYk581tH0x1elkqSZdkTxlr0UG6uAwWo0aLMWiNn8zojHsLdH77LET9qyjUxMY6IpxIq3pY8ic_WZ5Cq14LyP8doojeM3B_KMUr4GrQa8BVrWJuBvbZ0kQp2MhiPImwSVLWzKsaqYzf3JyrmOkWBx2AE_mldSRA64OvQLPpM5WMWjgu4eaJZQU8s/s638/IMG_20240309_113306644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qcSIhYk581tH0x1elkqSZdkTxlr0UG6uAwWo0aLMWiNn8zojHsLdH77LET9qyjUxMY6IpxIq3pY8ic_WZ5Cq14LyP8doojeM3B_KMUr4GrQa8BVrWJuBvbZ0kQp2MhiPImwSVLWzKsaqYzf3JyrmOkWBx2AE_mldSRA64OvQLPpM5WMWjgu4eaJZQU8s/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_113306644.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regia Aeronautica bomb Little Charlie... missing. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-hyww4Cs9LW1Bf82dBjiYzSY6RCc95JgI3gqM50DWrGT8MBPMKjDpBOcZBhFwFHviT6-bOHf119GSmPE13_Yd0fG2-ytRSOUd7qAcHl90RB5DAFC9usxd16rknIdSOIFKyBXlPbva2VrTCRBz5Gpd76BxtZeStXGV_gidGCrRzQdBgx_8lquro7UsIw/s638/IMG_20240309_113340782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-hyww4Cs9LW1Bf82dBjiYzSY6RCc95JgI3gqM50DWrGT8MBPMKjDpBOcZBhFwFHviT6-bOHf119GSmPE13_Yd0fG2-ytRSOUd7qAcHl90RB5DAFC9usxd16rknIdSOIFKyBXlPbva2VrTCRBz5Gpd76BxtZeStXGV_gidGCrRzQdBgx_8lquro7UsIw/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_113340782.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian motorised infantry arrive behind Big Charlie. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3YGLxy6SxDTWJ8Xv9yu6b_rkbUaYVXjgVM2SN94197saVxYtfjYep9Nkuw1PfUtUepsTgBJnPMWlQA_5D-ZDf8oS-Pzg-TGi4Q_rNlIx0SNFI1j1Ni0FaAnC_GIMGeI_H77oJ45dtG4B85zLglgPclwJjkuedwj8ehmgtNQLM4YwU3fQRxPOArISY8tD/s638/IMG_20240309_114844123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3YGLxy6SxDTWJ8Xv9yu6b_rkbUaYVXjgVM2SN94197saVxYtfjYep9Nkuw1PfUtUepsTgBJnPMWlQA_5D-ZDf8oS-Pzg-TGi4Q_rNlIx0SNFI1j1Ni0FaAnC_GIMGeI_H77oJ45dtG4B85zLglgPclwJjkuedwj8ehmgtNQLM4YwU3fQRxPOArISY8tD/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_114844123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British are moving around the right of the hill, Crusaders and Bren carrier teams. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6pZToVa7qV7wINQLsmBrt9SLttHivB2U2VYyXDGgDiohdl2k4RaUIUx2KAI6aEYXI1CaRwqUCpkfWmo7a8VB7uvpASare4PGof677fUbLY2rlL7zmZ5U-S3Z83pDsygeFzkSjiwZP4Jsqtb21u3wAIKKnYXwwr0C3952HpMKbA-GKGYFQ8S8ndWGympr/s638/IMG_20240309_114904286.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6pZToVa7qV7wINQLsmBrt9SLttHivB2U2VYyXDGgDiohdl2k4RaUIUx2KAI6aEYXI1CaRwqUCpkfWmo7a8VB7uvpASare4PGof677fUbLY2rlL7zmZ5U-S3Z83pDsygeFzkSjiwZP4Jsqtb21u3wAIKKnYXwwr0C3952HpMKbA-GKGYFQ8S8ndWGympr/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_114904286.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A13 firing line across the centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgz0i3oUjn_LS_wcInfVNvNAI805XyVxE9fMvqxc2AcSS33yADdXRVqYUri6B8lrHN8Q_ic4G2InyOnOXuCla0zvIvGLai6m2kXzI1g3IZxXFtVDWo9VPZ8RHZWcKOSxx5W_k9KkD6q8qDkiFIbdb-F64UqL3wguPnemRDjsc70S1_6PLJ65KIg9Fh96/s638/IMG_20240309_124527772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgz0i3oUjn_LS_wcInfVNvNAI805XyVxE9fMvqxc2AcSS33yADdXRVqYUri6B8lrHN8Q_ic4G2InyOnOXuCla0zvIvGLai6m2kXzI1g3IZxXFtVDWo9VPZ8RHZWcKOSxx5W_k9KkD6q8qDkiFIbdb-F64UqL3wguPnemRDjsc70S1_6PLJ65KIg9Fh96/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_124527772.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian 75mm artillery hits the rear of Big Charlie, but no effect. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxOYyWYc3TAj6LxpIa2OsgvQNv2bd2pApo_dUT7fMUwCb13m0r_urg4IZ7yFw2-NSTgDUYjnWaDU7gCHOOC3RxgyzY9WQhgBV7pBGpDRzk0NoWwk2XOjV6ktnYMFMXWHb7tnoGwGPLKpo5kNaXmTtHtzFw5cxZPxKGmIMyrOj6z9Ol28wd89GfZ4y0lju/s638/IMG_20240309_131202674.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxOYyWYc3TAj6LxpIa2OsgvQNv2bd2pApo_dUT7fMUwCb13m0r_urg4IZ7yFw2-NSTgDUYjnWaDU7gCHOOC3RxgyzY9WQhgBV7pBGpDRzk0NoWwk2XOjV6ktnYMFMXWHb7tnoGwGPLKpo5kNaXmTtHtzFw5cxZPxKGmIMyrOj6z9Ol28wd89GfZ4y0lju/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_131202674.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave tankette takes on the immobilised Crusader with its flamethrower, and pins it. It would then tactical co-ordinate, to unpin, and destroy the tankette at PB range. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j1Hfe0SJghPz97G8rFWkLcyjBErtWI31a7sWTd31XcJ8uVjaR_4fowdDBpGELO-Q9HhqBMgEJ4vwNZZsYyYvcrMMksN2BlLm0W4DOxoQ7lN59AOMbV-7Z82SWaw4nAZTrd1i_968HgQ8bOg2LyJu3DUzryNIlCqfOxe4EHwBD30XFV9AqWoK8ghCtWrh/s638/IMG_20240309_135503512.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j1Hfe0SJghPz97G8rFWkLcyjBErtWI31a7sWTd31XcJ8uVjaR_4fowdDBpGELO-Q9HhqBMgEJ4vwNZZsYyYvcrMMksN2BlLm0W4DOxoQ7lN59AOMbV-7Z82SWaw4nAZTrd1i_968HgQ8bOg2LyJu3DUzryNIlCqfOxe4EHwBD30XFV9AqWoK8ghCtWrh/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_135503512.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine-strike KO's another tank on Big Charlie. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoUUMq-Jcg_ioBuUKavtaJqJTjbYZpWynPeaqbVuBcLFPFrdbhqaToCNimgNf6OdqT7p35jgYQ9W9I7EEvIwVhmG0iobG5QeEgnRjl6ODFY7IboLRF-GhjVZgZNUrfOpZDxavzrR9XtsXGLivHlsvHKLjjDXV_BSxgw7J7IGoCWsFKSbJzbgL_MGtIXfl/s638/IMG_20240309_135515859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoUUMq-Jcg_ioBuUKavtaJqJTjbYZpWynPeaqbVuBcLFPFrdbhqaToCNimgNf6OdqT7p35jgYQ9W9I7EEvIwVhmG0iobG5QeEgnRjl6ODFY7IboLRF-GhjVZgZNUrfOpZDxavzrR9XtsXGLivHlsvHKLjjDXV_BSxgw7J7IGoCWsFKSbJzbgL_MGtIXfl/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_135515859.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A13 gets a kill, M13 in the side at Little Charlie. Ending the Italian attack here. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT7gNaIURaYitl5VT1KVVpDBnVOYHWWTFvgwsxWgq45r0eKxyvfCHFPGQWjcVxxMsh62Ve6XyRWCWqtqxzXctkHdVxkom1OVsZ-C8pTm0jP4I4_A4nHjWtp0BXWjX0iV_1NomlbkOszmljx34k8ePmpi9lZwBTD9HdqvJQ2eFFroO4HKy2f3hJh_KlHeQ/s638/IMG_20240309_135520313.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT7gNaIURaYitl5VT1KVVpDBnVOYHWWTFvgwsxWgq45r0eKxyvfCHFPGQWjcVxxMsh62Ve6XyRWCWqtqxzXctkHdVxkom1OVsZ-C8pTm0jP4I4_A4nHjWtp0BXWjX0iV_1NomlbkOszmljx34k8ePmpi9lZwBTD9HdqvJQ2eFFroO4HKy2f3hJh_KlHeQ/w400-h294/IMG_20240309_135520313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recce tankette's MG fire keeps heads down, the Brits just can't hit it. A nuisance all game. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-208458604291194602024-03-01T11:07:00.000-08:002024-03-01T12:32:19.930-08:00 Warhammer the Old World, Project for 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTmg0P-qtv5W54n4c9IpIpedId7vVlB8EKrO0fyB842TJNduBmC2mXfLDKhhxAcg402ZCugra76LSTa8g_XktOZjgLkALxU4A__1YUmV2Ii-2UZ2Aid7PuHVoxgJLZKQ9keOQSuDevJ3a_XuZYPPmvdyXbNzk67H4L682yojVLUXyFkQZD4QgghAHd5b8/s300/pic170056.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="222" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTmg0P-qtv5W54n4c9IpIpedId7vVlB8EKrO0fyB842TJNduBmC2mXfLDKhhxAcg402ZCugra76LSTa8g_XktOZjgLkALxU4A__1YUmV2Ii-2UZ2Aid7PuHVoxgJLZKQ9keOQSuDevJ3a_XuZYPPmvdyXbNzk67H4L682yojVLUXyFkQZD4QgghAHd5b8/s1600/pic170056.jpg" width="222" /></a></div> I started playing Warhammer with first edition, after buying the box set on an impulse in a games store in 1983, thinking it was something like D&D (which to be fair, it was back then). We used it for roleplaying, each with our own characters, but, looking back, we were just playing a one-to-one detailed skirmish wargame, going from fight to fight against various monsters. This developed though, with the arrival of ‘Forces of Fantasy’ into a desire to fight battles and get actually armies. This began as a grand scheme to play Middle Earth wargames… with various players selecting a faction each, I was to be Mordor, and bought Citadel Orcs and Goblins (still got them, great models). As kids, this was way too ambitious, I don’t think we ever played a game. But it had started something, and soon five of us were collecting fantasy armies from the Forces of Fantasy box set. ‘Men of the West’ were my choice, knights, men-at-arms, archers, (available from historical manufacturers), a proto-Empire army really. Others had small forces of Dwarves, Wood Elves, Lizardmen and the Giants (only 5 models required). We created our own fantasy world, and drew a big A2 map, hung it on the wall and the five factions with their own realms within it. Again, very ambitious, and it never got going beyond a few small skirmishes. I had a truce with the Dwarves, my brother, so we would not fight each other, a mistake really, as we could game any weekend… but refused to because of the campaign world! I remember losing to the Giants once… with 5 models I couldn’t kill. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lyqpd8pIt0b5mJFPoE5fHzh1Z4kgxKiaoeT7AtQ3AgpUT_zE8QxhKU-oMcHpRdp8jTGWu22b9xoHUD61tai07ayrBJ9xHir0HBCQgRCB5JTXU_pdAdiVHhnW-3bdjij0P_kulqjFB32Tc7tninyvJNCgPoLLhDNaZmS_UMf6_i1Z7jLgej-5RrCdXKpM/s696/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-01%20at%2017.59.32.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lyqpd8pIt0b5mJFPoE5fHzh1Z4kgxKiaoeT7AtQ3AgpUT_zE8QxhKU-oMcHpRdp8jTGWu22b9xoHUD61tai07ayrBJ9xHir0HBCQgRCB5JTXU_pdAdiVHhnW-3bdjij0P_kulqjFB32Tc7tninyvJNCgPoLLhDNaZmS_UMf6_i1Z7jLgej-5RrCdXKpM/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-01%20at%2017.59.32.png" width="234" /></a></div><br />By now, second edition (red box) had arrived and so, purchased from GW, with the first 'Ravening Hordes' book to work with, those of us with enough enthusiasm for it all, carried on collecting models, building our armies, painting them (pretty badly) and playing games on our bright green subutteo cloth covered table with a few model railway trees, lichen and home-made cardboard buildings. My Men of the West finally actually fought my brother’s Dwarves, often, with the occasional game against a friends Elves, in which you always got shot to hell. There were not many Warhammer players around back then. Balance was not a thing. <br /><br />By third edition, we’d dropped out, I think 40K had come along and pretty much taken over all our tabletop gaming for years. We were busy with sci-fi and our fantasy armies languished in boxes. I sold my knights and peasants at a wargames' show bring-and-buy and reinvested the funds in my 40K Squats.<br /><br />So, we missed third edition altogether (the one version I never played), but were dragged back in by fourth, and the cool looking games in White Dwarf magazine. In 1993, we decided to restart with Warhammer, the old Dwarves were dusted off, and I needed an army. I chose Skaven, they are cool, and began a big collecting and painting project over the next couple of years. I played with that Skaven army (with its one unit of 100 clan rats in the centre) for years. Usually against the Dwarves (by then I had 2 regular opponents, both with Dwarves). I got good at beating Dwarves. <br /><br />Fast forward, to about 2000-01 and I wasn’t playing much Warhammer anymore, the Skaven had gone into hibernation, so I sold the army for a good fee, and spent the lot on WW2 models and terrain. Most of which I still use. <br /><br />I restarted with my third Warhammer army for a campaign. Working at GW now, several co-workers wanted to start a campaign and three of them were painting Tomb Kings (it must have been the latest army book out). They need opponents, so we organised three others to paint a Bretonnian army, to fight them in a ‘desert crusade’ themed games, knights vs skeletons in the ruins if Egypt (we bought some ruined pillars, a sphinx, etc. to add to the theme). I bought and painted Knights of the Realm, Men-at-Arms, heroes on pegasus, etc, and we played 4-5 games, all crushing wins for Bretonnia. Interest fell away, the Tomb Kings were not much cop vs the big knightly charges (I wonder, seeing the new release, if it’s got much better for the skeletons facing fast, hard hitting, tooled-up-to-the-nines, heavy cavalry with their skinny boney bodies). Suffice to say, the brief ‘Khemri Crusade’ over as a victory and, well, my part of the Bretonnian’s got sold. [As an aside, that did inspire me to collect actual historical crusaders stuff instead, and later write the 'Soldiers of God' rules to play with them]. <br /><br />Fourth Warhammer army, and it must have been a new edition of the game (5th/6th maybe?), and new plastic daemons were all the rage. I bought some boxes, Bloodletters, and quickly made a 2000 point force for some tournament games, it was a quick army to paint (being largely red) and not many troops, led by a Bloodthirster. It won the tournament, 4 wins from 4 games, because basically the army did nothing but charge across the table and smack the enemy hard (no missile troops, no magic), as the Bloodthirster killed any/everything it wanted. Steam tanks, Wood Elf High Mages on great eagle, a very tough Vampire Lord (almost got the Bloodthirster, 1 Wound away as I remember)… all were crushed by the Bloodthirster (in those days you could tool it up with daemonic gifts, and mine was mean, and expensive). The undefeated red legion of Khorne daemons returned to its box and remained there. It was a bit boring to play honestly. One trick, but very good at it. But I didn’t sell them. I still have them, waiting for the summons…<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zjz8BsOTgrQi2dZKs8RQtAJQ9JCIWAgh5Usk4V320iCjrY76o_aXI-cdWm2YnJv5-YHSvQ-QWyQVfxlETMAG7QNW7VQLSBfbr7zNhG0OHxvw006h0PebypCZmDoqanVKFSnADIsgwhCjReqYNnQWi5STMRvsYAbxVYOQyDcxV_f6bTS8riXFcYu5XlMU/s1470/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-01%20at%2018.00.04.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1470" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zjz8BsOTgrQi2dZKs8RQtAJQ9JCIWAgh5Usk4V320iCjrY76o_aXI-cdWm2YnJv5-YHSvQ-QWyQVfxlETMAG7QNW7VQLSBfbr7zNhG0OHxvw006h0PebypCZmDoqanVKFSnADIsgwhCjReqYNnQWi5STMRvsYAbxVYOQyDcxV_f6bTS8riXFcYu5XlMU/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-01%20at%2018.00.04.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Along came, I think 7th edition, and the 'Isle of Blood' box set. We all bought it and I’d always, since the first army book, coveted a High Elf army. I read that first book almost cover to cover standing in a Waterstones… anyway, I had new plastic High Elves, loads of them. I collected them all up, buying the spare plastics cheap from those with no use for them, the new Skaven seemed to be more in demand back then. With about 4 'Isle of Blood' sets I set about making my High Elves from them. A leader on a griffon, lots of Sea Guard, Ellyrian Reavers and Sword Masters. I added a few extras as well, and had an army. They fought 5-6 games, did OK, lost a few, won a few (crushed an Orc and Goblin force in about 3 turns I remember), lost to a cheesy Skaven army that turned up to play mostly unpainted (I hate this… a legion of the black spray can, it doesn’t seem right after the hours I’d put in on my models, I'm in favour of unpainted models having a flat -1 to Hit as an official rule). Anyway, it was fun… and along came 8th (and last edition). I played a few games with the High Elves, but interested waned again and into their box they went. There they remained until 2020. No Warhammer to play anymore anyway… and no real interest either. But it's a shame to have painted armies you can’t use. It irks, not to get playing time from the time and work put it. <br /><br />Then lock-down came. Which was, for wargamers, just extended hobby time. Days stuck in the house, I’ll get cracking on new armies then. I started my sixth Warhammer army… something to fight my High Elves… I chose Dark Elves, bought a second-hand army and other models for sale on Ebay, to revamp and add to, and cracked on at the painting desk. The Dark Elves did not get finished. By ’21 I had, half an army… not really game-able. Stalled out. I was playing and painting Napoleonics.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWQDf0QQD9HOdfiAdLQeEpKyGpqkwpFgaIOjCWMnRn_UNeE_IBKu4LI3SxezHc2drl0zNZEIQ7ez8BiYi-46-Mewzsx7KzUmF5kWA98cDovpN2wbF8A5hm8NPGOaiJms2lYK1RuPUZU6zXlI69W9aybHN2IWMKID8bstBeiPSCxLmSOOPq5KcdRdvlHr0/s907/Warhammer_the_Old_World_Rulebook_cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWQDf0QQD9HOdfiAdLQeEpKyGpqkwpFgaIOjCWMnRn_UNeE_IBKu4LI3SxezHc2drl0zNZEIQ7ez8BiYi-46-Mewzsx7KzUmF5kWA98cDovpN2wbF8A5hm8NPGOaiJms2lYK1RuPUZU6zXlI69W9aybHN2IWMKID8bstBeiPSCxLmSOOPq5KcdRdvlHr0/s320/Warhammer_the_Old_World_Rulebook_cover.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />This is all a long pre-amble to where I’m at today. A new project for 2024, and the arrival of the Old World rules, a new edition of Warhammer. I was tempted by a ‘new edition, new army’ (Chaos Dwarves look cool), but resisted and decided instead to finish those Dark Elves I already had. That’s currently almost complete. I’ve added some new stuff too… a few new hero types, from 3D printers, because in the time away from Warhammer, this has become ‘a thing’. I was amazed at the choice and quality of these alternative model ranges. Anyway… the main thrust of all this as my project for ’24. French Napoleonic army now ‘complete’ (if any army is ever actually complete), short break and what is next? <br /><br />I have always, since first edition, wanted to play an extend narrative campaign with Warhammer. Repeat battles with the same characters and units, gaining experience, losing men, taking objectives, with sieges, ambushes, scenarios, etc., and a story to create and tell. The standard ‘mode’ for Warhammer is the one-off 2,000 point tournament-style line-up and fight game. I plan to avoid this, by having a theme and story to drive the campaign, small skirmishes up to large set-piece battles, siege assaults, allies arriving, heroes fighting and dying, etc. Basically, a proper wargaming campaign. So, I’m just going to do it, and now, after all these years, I actually have the armies to provide both sides for it too.<br /><br />High Elves, with a few new reinforcements units and heroes (they’ll all get names), will fight Dark Elves (once they’re completed, which is about 1-2 weeks off) and they will get some allies, my re-summoned Khorne Daemons, via a daemonic pact with their Master Sorceress. All 3 of my Warhammer armies will fight again. <br /><br />So, as well as rebasing every model to fit with the new rules (wholly-molly that is a lot of 25mm square bases required and a big dull job), I will write a background for my Elf vs Elf war (not hard, given the Warhammer background pits them as old foes against each other anyway), make-up a setting for it (again not hard, somewhere on the fringes of Ulthuan will work fine) get some themed terrain and create a campaign system so characters and units can gain experience throughout, and losses can be taken, reinforcements arrive, etc. I’ll write it all to work with my army collections, and if, say, for some reason, I find I need a new character or unit, I’ll just get them and introduce them to the on-going story. <br /><br />I have already made a start, ‘War for Tor Helethion’ will see a merciless Dark Elf invasion of an Ulthuan island, my setting, and each game’s result will build the story of the campaign. Finally, after 40 years, I’ll get to play Warhammer as I always really wanted to. One-off games have been fun, even the tournaments (which I now mostly dislike), were OK, I generally did alright. The one brief campaign only lasted 5-6 games and was one-sided. But one-off games are very limiting to the scope of the game. Hopefully, now, each battle will actually mean something more, and be a step towards a Dark Elf conquest of Tor Helethion, or the High Elves heroically repelling them. Much hobby work to do before the battles can begin, with the last units to paint and about 350 miniatures to rebases!!, oh lord!, and some characterful terrain to sort too. But, by the spring/summer (when the seas are calmer), the Dark Elf invasion fleet can arrive off Tor Helethion, and my Warhammer gaming can resume (and any of the new rules I don’t like will just get changed… it’s a set of rules with problems, always has been, fun, but it needs some nuance or it’s too often just a predictable slug-fest, I have some ideas already, I think I can make it far better). First, just play some games though...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-14333924336122187722024-02-18T04:11:00.000-08:002024-02-18T04:11:47.981-08:00Prussia Rising - campaign game 6 - Rearguard at Dolmau<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>It is game 6 of the 1813 campaign. August 27th, the day after the battle of Katzbach, and the French, defeated are retreating out of Lower Silesia ahead of Blucher's army. McDonald’s corps is returning to link up with Napoleon’s main force, and in this fictional engagement, my division, General Houlier’s, has been selected as the rearguard and must fight a delaying action against the Prussia pursuit. This was a 'Special Circumstance' rolled randomly, so I would lose any brigades in reserve , of which there was one, the poor Wurttembergers, as they are marching away. My other three brigades, 2 infantry, 1 dragoon, would be required to hold up the Prussian advance, on the Katzbach stream, near the village of Dolmau. The French would be defending, whilst the Prussians chose a 'steady advance', with their 3 deployed brigades, advanced guard, infantry and freicorps, with their light cavalry in reserve. So, could Houlier’s men hang-on long enough to let the rest get away? Breakpoints were a big problem, 31 to the Prussians, just 19 to the French… tough ask then.</p><p> The battlefield, randomly generated - Prussians top, French bottom. <br /></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83PBS8N1uphCSIIFLlyxKHWxo9tSG2Ql3Hol2CGxQs-1zwIyJDF2qfE-WGyUzpi79T3h2TWu5yXB_YKEyjCPd7DmusVLRpvic03jlK-fDip7GFj99p4MEQn0vBHh8cW-Y9mHQZHNDWFyHD8nkUG6ngkFPcJspe4ZuVUVOj3glmru_ZNBG3_1zWmZADgag/s510/6.%20Dolmau.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83PBS8N1uphCSIIFLlyxKHWxo9tSG2Ql3Hol2CGxQs-1zwIyJDF2qfE-WGyUzpi79T3h2TWu5yXB_YKEyjCPd7DmusVLRpvic03jlK-fDip7GFj99p4MEQn0vBHh8cW-Y9mHQZHNDWFyHD8nkUG6ngkFPcJspe4ZuVUVOj3glmru_ZNBG3_1zWmZADgag/w400-h266/6.%20Dolmau.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />I set up my defence, with my strongest brigade facing his best route of advance, through the village. In the centre was a weak infantry brigade (2 battalions and a battery) but they were dug-in with the earthworks. On the left was my dragoon brigade of two regiments. The plan was simple, sit tight, let him come and counter-attack to keep him out of my deployment zones (big VPs on offer for me if I could). The Prussians had something of an issue, in that attacking with his three brigades would be problematic. The freicorps, on his right, are weak landwehr and volunteers. The advanced guard, on the left through Dolmau, are also weaker now, 5 battles having taken their toll, their fusiliers and grenadiers and uhlan are now all reduced battalions. The centre then, facing earthworks was a weakish brigade of just 2 battalions but with extra guns (the 12 pdrs again). So, post-deployment, I felt confident my lines would hold. Only his light cavalry, once here, would be the threat, and my dragoon’s job would be to stop them. Initiative was with the Prussians, so time for the off.<br /><br />The first deal of cards changed my plan. I had, in hand, both ‘at the gallop’ events and a ‘stalled’ event. Looking at my dragoons, opposite them was his weak freicorps troops, all in lines, with only reserve cavalry (lancers though). All militia. With those cards my dragoons could be across the table, stall his own cavalry from counter charging, and hit his infantry lines. Very aggressive, but moving like the wind, my dragoons would in amongst his poor infantry very quickly, it could be slaughter… but the defensive plan? Damn the plan, let’s give it a go! <br /><br />So, again, my Dragoons set out at top speed galloping for the enemy lines, to the Prussians great surprise… they hadn’t even deployed any skirmishers yet… then, with his reserve uhlan frozen into inactivity, another ‘at the gallop’, and then the orders to charge! Both dragoons regiments plunged into landwehr lines and, the result was a hammering for the surprised infantry, who retreated,through their own lines and rallied… I wasn’t going to stop, after an order on the infantry to fire some cannons and get skirmishers out, then the dragoons charged again, hitting his cavalry and smashing them up too, before overrunning the freicorps’ artillery (a single howitzer)… the brigade was a mess and rallied again to avoid losing any units. My dragoons rallied too, for free, and by the end of the turn 1 the French eld by 5 VPs to 0. Lutzow’s men were in a panic, as the dragoons ran over/through them and their table edge was very close. I could drive them off it in turn 2.<br /><br />My dragoons continued having their heyday… winning another couple of melees as his uhlan tried to counter-charge but where beaten back and fled the tabletop. The landwehr soon followed, but the dragoons did take one heavy musket volley, so again, needed to rally and lose some stands, but supporting cannon fire was also hitting the landwehr and lacking any more militia rally cards, another battalion broke, leaving just 1 left before the brigade was wiped out. The dragoons had done amazing working, torn a brigade to shreds. Turn 2 ended 12-0 to French on VPs… and the big disparity in starting VPs had been nullified. Time to recover the dragoons to my lines as best I could. The Prussian main attack hadn’t really started, at Dolmau his uhlan came forward, too far, and took accurate cannon crossfire from my batteries, then retreated and rallied as well, down to just 2 stands… maybe I would hold the line. Because an attack here would be without any cavalry, and my musket lines were waiting. <br /><br />Turn 3 and his light cavalry had arrived, led by the Leib ‘Totenkopf’ Hussars, with uhlan and horse jaegers as well. They came at the gallop, heading straight for the dragoons. Using a ‘well-drilled’ event, they turned about and rode back, but consecutive orders saw the light cavalry keep galloping in. The uhlan charged, and just caught one dragoons regiment from behind…eek… just not far enough away. The dragoons lost (no surprise) and would, by the end of the turn be broken. I’d lost 1 regiment, could the other escape? Almost, but not quiet. I moved at the quick to escape but the faster hussars’ charge, elite troops, and in column for speed caught up with them again. Another melee lost and Dragoons had to rally and loose stands. Not much left now, but the last 2 stands escaped back to my lines. <br /><br />Whilst this (3,30 from Haydock-like) cavalry chase was on going, the Prussians had also fired some guns and finally moved up to occupy the front buildings of Dolmau. This allowed them to claim an objective, but did mean they were taking including cannon fire. They hunkered down, obvious now that no attack was coming. Their cannon did some good work on my veteran light infantry battalion though, steadily building up the disruption, I need to take care of that, because standing around in front of guns is never great. In the centre, the Prussian infantry hadn’t moved, just fired long range cannons at the earthworks to no effect. <br /><br />So, the cavalry pursuit continued, My skirmishing infantry where now hitting his hussars and uhlan (the horse jaegers got left behind), I tried to protect my horse battery, but the Leib hussars saw an easy win and charged in to cut down the crew, as my infantry wheeled around to get a volley lined up. Not quick enough, the hussars rallied, fell-back and then, consecutive again, fell-back again to get out of range after their bold raid on the guns. Still, my skirmishers were shooting them, but they are very good troops in the Leib regiment. It was going to break them. <br /><br />Well, thinks had changed quickly in that turn. Suddenly the Prussians had 14 VPs and were closing on my breakpoint quickly. The French had reached 25. It was very close again.<br /><br />Now, into the final turn, things became cagey, both sides not risking much. My last dragoons stragglers moved back to some ‘safety’, we traded cannon fire and skirmish fire but nothing looked like breaking. I had to rally the dragoons again, giving up the VP. The Prussians had the card advantage though (4 brigades vs 3 and Blucher had turned up to inspect this ‘attack’, so 2 extra cards), and used it well. Unable to react, his hussars moved forwards into my deployment zone, thus deny me the big VP gain… drat! Then, last card of the game, an ‘artillery bombards’ on my veteran light infantry, which scored enough hits to break them… hammered by shot my stalwarts broke… and no cards left to rally. Seasoned troops gone. <br /><br />The final VPs total, Prussia now had 21 vs French 30, 1 point short of his 31 breakpoint, but over my own… the Prussians had sneaked it at the end. <br /><br />Well, somehow, that was defeat from the jaws of victory. I really good and exciting game, in which the Prussians looked doomed, but had a big comeback, led by the Leib Hussars’ speeding counter attack. My dragoons bold attack had almost won it, but again paid the heavy price. So close. Maybe I should have sat back and waited. </p><p>Now it went... roughly...<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlJ43g06_zbo2Gs192_nQbq2EJCOC9mKb7ezMaf2i-elk3NQW41kSD4syYQo_ConZvXEvX8ZXUUQezZwB3ID1U4vEq1LrxW96JTUVI77qqrQg0x5IZ4TesNA8D5hvDNXYazMw01DY3tB5U7zTWSyXeBtazPTfBpFKNANcPVMM0nLS_EbTHdlMhEv4YXMN/s510/6.%20Dolmau1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlJ43g06_zbo2Gs192_nQbq2EJCOC9mKb7ezMaf2i-elk3NQW41kSD4syYQo_ConZvXEvX8ZXUUQezZwB3ID1U4vEq1LrxW96JTUVI77qqrQg0x5IZ4TesNA8D5hvDNXYazMw01DY3tB5U7zTWSyXeBtazPTfBpFKNANcPVMM0nLS_EbTHdlMhEv4YXMN/w400-h266/6.%20Dolmau1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />In the campaign ‘March Phase’ we sorted casualties and rolled for the ‘Sue for Peace’, and the result was the Prussians had won. After 6 games it was over. Houlier’s division, cut-off in the retreat from Lower Silesia would have to surrender and become POWs. The Wurttembergers got away, but they’ll soon be throwing in the towel anyway as Napoleons allies desert him. No fight left in them (not much to begin with really). It was real fun, Prussia has defo risen and given the hated French a bit of kicking… time to play some other games for a bit and paint/plan for another SoN campaign later in ’24, ‘1815 - the Road to Waterloo’ I’ll call it. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8icv1YmRu1ql9nTIuUIV_smUojWu_EFUV90inhGaED3u9vpTyiUCVLmx_-jzymc-BOhT0wpeUzbLTgqfq1sCkwMFJ8-z7GjKJ2CcXx1A4H3kadhInJ0zhPc7efxkGb4QYIhdr03xopXZWIQZtpOQsTKihyqYcEJAVM4OHdgUDCkiFqePN2Hu3-etBlizr/s638/IMG_20240209_110858077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8icv1YmRu1ql9nTIuUIV_smUojWu_EFUV90inhGaED3u9vpTyiUCVLmx_-jzymc-BOhT0wpeUzbLTgqfq1sCkwMFJ8-z7GjKJ2CcXx1A4H3kadhInJ0zhPc7efxkGb4QYIhdr03xopXZWIQZtpOQsTKihyqYcEJAVM4OHdgUDCkiFqePN2Hu3-etBlizr/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_110858077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherou's big infantry brigade blocks the way through Dolmau village. They moved across some guns and a battalion to occupy the centre earthworks as well. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG5MAXu_xS-ajjD-yFyRjJSIfZtGb4I1aSuzg0IYI5g_s-U387gfI7HqI1TDJBku8meusVHrHFGWsq1W-XVr14cVyu7lzICxgqPOurj8FyYC1OkwfmHubQMvsXwTmbE8MOnd7LLO75yqsh1-DfY7ZuTdY0ktiKpBKuOOWI9v9ty3-u2PohmS80kxTLMq8/s638/IMG_20240209_110832863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG5MAXu_xS-ajjD-yFyRjJSIfZtGb4I1aSuzg0IYI5g_s-U387gfI7HqI1TDJBku8meusVHrHFGWsq1W-XVr14cVyu7lzICxgqPOurj8FyYC1OkwfmHubQMvsXwTmbE8MOnd7LLO75yqsh1-DfY7ZuTdY0ktiKpBKuOOWI9v9ty3-u2PohmS80kxTLMq8/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_110832863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian advanced guard move into Dolmau, but not the buildings, yet. There battery hits the French lines, and annoyance, that became vital. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPsWggMdkdtphmPuiOrbOk3kUEMWzi86lrM20xExbTgsL5Fpg13SGMVVSHVQKFYxHq_1-ZSxaAXAN3CpSnOAusIi4FrYpbN-D8wdgJyfF27XQXpQKIDWf1jyQ897gkMp_cNA2eYyVDEogdrklfofxqnsRh58rlA3UxWuPuj1cqmJZU9y40GqehhNkzYD4/s638/IMG_20240209_112911175.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPsWggMdkdtphmPuiOrbOk3kUEMWzi86lrM20xExbTgsL5Fpg13SGMVVSHVQKFYxHq_1-ZSxaAXAN3CpSnOAusIi4FrYpbN-D8wdgJyfF27XQXpQKIDWf1jyQ897gkMp_cNA2eYyVDEogdrklfofxqnsRh58rlA3UxWuPuj1cqmJZU9y40GqehhNkzYD4/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_112911175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field, turn 1, at the far end, the dragoons have already charged across and into the freicorps, and the slaughter begins. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1okmagz9tFw8JWtSVhlU5cF9jy56mgE9mOBTUSB7gsQmcjOSAlGZ-DcL7LxzOsgYq2guN04j4kgxi3MSxNLQXiGRigLMpX4Eh1C6pDXdiuzDI0uB1ksTUONR36MK0j6iwZ5M481SUEPTL8OhNCqQTaAmo92BGUhlNu-z5bwGAoRQr88iZwmd1kDr7Yb-Q/s638/IMG_20240209_112948077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1okmagz9tFw8JWtSVhlU5cF9jy56mgE9mOBTUSB7gsQmcjOSAlGZ-DcL7LxzOsgYq2guN04j4kgxi3MSxNLQXiGRigLMpX4Eh1C6pDXdiuzDI0uB1ksTUONR36MK0j6iwZ5M481SUEPTL8OhNCqQTaAmo92BGUhlNu-z5bwGAoRQr88iZwmd1kDr7Yb-Q/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_112948077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard's dragoons, at the gallop (twice) and Charge! The reserve uhlan can't counter them, stalled! Lutzow freicorp take a sabre-ing... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG5KAPbVFbPg1dDwwL40fpUblO59i3VDjplRU6vHFDD8Q1qanDuQ6-GPrJM8vS9xoVplHyCJogn4MGV-fWVeQzhiPW6VoNfa5MREMM4fxXat2YiNTxHhGLCJths42k2zOliDEJdxAxUtNPTvcFf1HP3isDdL_qHsxybwO3PX9wjatawfuMHYSbaj_lczn/s638/IMG_20240209_113035589.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG5KAPbVFbPg1dDwwL40fpUblO59i3VDjplRU6vHFDD8Q1qanDuQ6-GPrJM8vS9xoVplHyCJogn4MGV-fWVeQzhiPW6VoNfa5MREMM4fxXat2YiNTxHhGLCJths42k2zOliDEJdxAxUtNPTvcFf1HP3isDdL_qHsxybwO3PX9wjatawfuMHYSbaj_lczn/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_113035589.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The earthworks and the battery of 8 pdrs, picking away at the far Prussians<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQhyI1C4rhqteucfEhiOsNtKhoZLmlYz43VHntwwHpAB3dMeoXzniWbU4osq5oiVZ4WeW-rALSwX8bvhBgg1_NynTRVoFAj-NqX0OgDgQ7HHA9mY-HUTTWPdCPGxBlQJF6tBJXPHYDZP_6kUMTicCFChdcR_EtB_gowtoZQjuHHH0NoqWIp9Co_CVDIwN/s638/IMG_20240209_120809439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQhyI1C4rhqteucfEhiOsNtKhoZLmlYz43VHntwwHpAB3dMeoXzniWbU4osq5oiVZ4WeW-rALSwX8bvhBgg1_NynTRVoFAj-NqX0OgDgQ7HHA9mY-HUTTWPdCPGxBlQJF6tBJXPHYDZP_6kUMTicCFChdcR_EtB_gowtoZQjuHHH0NoqWIp9Co_CVDIwN/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_120809439.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragoons see of the uhlan in short order, driving them back into the infantry again. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfiwLI9E45WFcmA4uhwazfe-kqcarzvqB2K22bxysW50vnW63mvM_xLxtqHMoUGKR4wOiDVMvWvwoXbTGrYN8xdFF2hpo6PuBPKn2ye95jqgky4tzqZ1HeGeUTSSqMMlrPHUh809C6qWyacfaJyYrXJWeo-7U83p3tV6uKF43DKpVk79zhV0LGl3nFdP8/s638/IMG_20240209_131451948.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfiwLI9E45WFcmA4uhwazfe-kqcarzvqB2K22bxysW50vnW63mvM_xLxtqHMoUGKR4wOiDVMvWvwoXbTGrYN8xdFF2hpo6PuBPKn2ye95jqgky4tzqZ1HeGeUTSSqMMlrPHUh809C6qWyacfaJyYrXJWeo-7U83p3tV6uKF43DKpVk79zhV0LGl3nFdP8/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_131451948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lutzow's last battalion standing... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cdhx3F3EzwfgdxjGU_DlQ_z6PMp7-YYsUftwqWTXUWKOvsd806IwcpV2giwtkCfdckniWKmDksT4p9Je4Kos0PkgfMPWwCgnSrXTzyhyphenhyphen-9z-aoJ_ygpD5j8HUEc2_H_pNKhwj6__LbBNC53megAJLFxj5OwPTN7TQmW8jG9FN3-3Q1OuWahR1O7Qu4e5/s638/IMG_20240209_113405517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cdhx3F3EzwfgdxjGU_DlQ_z6PMp7-YYsUftwqWTXUWKOvsd806IwcpV2giwtkCfdckniWKmDksT4p9Je4Kos0PkgfMPWwCgnSrXTzyhyphenhyphen-9z-aoJ_ygpD5j8HUEc2_H_pNKhwj6__LbBNC53megAJLFxj5OwPTN7TQmW8jG9FN3-3Q1OuWahR1O7Qu4e5/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_113405517.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Cherou's men wait in lines (and columns) for an attack that isn't coming. Cannon fire traded. Uhlan seen off. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKOmJpRNoHw-oSVWG6W9Oe9IH0Ne1p1Tlo5-odfm4wCuzvpDZT6DCbnh5yHESLLkUjaCEaxeyKhzRlAy158l2IdrUbzPnSpMB9sEOhn0o4sj934VJi4cFxkery9lTvNpnrqP-KKdbd5wFVD0J81iOypvUHpAEpbSMivOl5F5ZAt72pASDCcHRpWndv0Mn/s638/IMG_20240209_113102945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKOmJpRNoHw-oSVWG6W9Oe9IH0Ne1p1Tlo5-odfm4wCuzvpDZT6DCbnh5yHESLLkUjaCEaxeyKhzRlAy158l2IdrUbzPnSpMB9sEOhn0o4sj934VJi4cFxkery9lTvNpnrqP-KKdbd5wFVD0J81iOypvUHpAEpbSMivOl5F5ZAt72pASDCcHRpWndv0Mn/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_113102945.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian centre, in march column for a quick advance, but no order came. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV-BAgy33_nFQESetLdXPo0b9V39CHTMSVTJGqCdFmRY6ZQy9PNyW7HCZKK-iV_QZg0X8M7xRJEoLAsP9hvmWyOdUO1USpBaiKYhScd1BRW2LizQX55XKMutE7k5MfKX_s8ASwQ6D7oiAYEKYSELHKtrde63gaJFzZe3mCvOVYsSwa91-Frr-RGVDtzw9/s638/IMG_20240209_113051430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV-BAgy33_nFQESetLdXPo0b9V39CHTMSVTJGqCdFmRY6ZQy9PNyW7HCZKK-iV_QZg0X8M7xRJEoLAsP9hvmWyOdUO1USpBaiKYhScd1BRW2LizQX55XKMutE7k5MfKX_s8ASwQ6D7oiAYEKYSELHKtrde63gaJFzZe3mCvOVYsSwa91-Frr-RGVDtzw9/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_113051430.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uhlan come forward, to threaten and intimidate, but cannon fire rakes through them and they fall back, rally and have taken heavy losses. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn42-6ZcnGKYxdTKOW64QkE9CHnc2XF786oyQ4pBILNYGJxGzV1LHxgSuC0gNgNF9_D9ZR1n8f3kFx6uKpdhuS0eXRuBGa-Sq81HJephZyTBNRYAW1p55vii4PYCdMFQDnkLyHadfDDTzhmg3v1lU8DVu6_IVFD9xpE61ObJlAcl0Q6XOCLxNaYDClPNY/s638/IMG_20240209_142146490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn42-6ZcnGKYxdTKOW64QkE9CHnc2XF786oyQ4pBILNYGJxGzV1LHxgSuC0gNgNF9_D9ZR1n8f3kFx6uKpdhuS0eXRuBGa-Sq81HJephZyTBNRYAW1p55vii4PYCdMFQDnkLyHadfDDTzhmg3v1lU8DVu6_IVFD9xpE61ObJlAcl0Q6XOCLxNaYDClPNY/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_142146490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragoons attempt to get away, but the hussars are faster and catch them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaEyiiWZdb0HBWujgsZIzho_RpZUC7A_s954qwfofs6HM6D-R7cR2WqxDtd3Gh3nb7yikdWfa-EyVTg3IykEfohPwovEDXvxIAqIqM2z8ieTpA5Sikjqb3TSVtoX-CwOfJlDNV3UZQqJfM992We1_v3fv4LK5aXSJSYCnF0tpNAuajt8ji3EC1b-ynYKr/s638/IMG_20240209_145016045.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaEyiiWZdb0HBWujgsZIzho_RpZUC7A_s954qwfofs6HM6D-R7cR2WqxDtd3Gh3nb7yikdWfa-EyVTg3IykEfohPwovEDXvxIAqIqM2z8ieTpA5Sikjqb3TSVtoX-CwOfJlDNV3UZQqJfM992We1_v3fv4LK5aXSJSYCnF0tpNAuajt8ji3EC1b-ynYKr/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_145016045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorious the 'Totenkopf' ride on down the flank, eyeing a vulnerable French horse battery. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EJgd0sNOl2p3jcotLLxAu5G4Ycompy_OFsEYmIzopyFeTUl699xNjMYQx6_t8Nc_bbO9Xms8wwXhRwcFoyengm8yKSZ7AST_aOsZzxHxVcyKbL07iznV25U1uX14xJLu9wgud_tbVqusBZFtP_7yEfRxN7C6S-Pasn52npts8fGGADDROKcEvymSRjbd/s638/IMG_20240209_145525729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EJgd0sNOl2p3jcotLLxAu5G4Ycompy_OFsEYmIzopyFeTUl699xNjMYQx6_t8Nc_bbO9Xms8wwXhRwcFoyengm8yKSZ7AST_aOsZzxHxVcyKbL07iznV25U1uX14xJLu9wgud_tbVqusBZFtP_7yEfRxN7C6S-Pasn52npts8fGGADDROKcEvymSRjbd/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_145525729.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another charge, and the battery is cut down with ease. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnG9nbI6PrDer7XvlohJNtD-3jsvtfUrly3rRMzAQ61CUAm6Ng1cyGtS-IJ86x_RBVFMEBJMgU3sXOf1ghZaaZzjRNsTtMYGscfNvPVNq7GIzpYCQENP32YqEqCrw4K0vkzH5nB425UnXjteTKVpWeD0OJgInVLKog6tJefZpqqjHKXKDMSyQ_UJCLVJA/s638/IMG_20240209_152412703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnG9nbI6PrDer7XvlohJNtD-3jsvtfUrly3rRMzAQ61CUAm6Ng1cyGtS-IJ86x_RBVFMEBJMgU3sXOf1ghZaaZzjRNsTtMYGscfNvPVNq7GIzpYCQENP32YqEqCrw4K0vkzH5nB425UnXjteTKVpWeD0OJgInVLKog6tJefZpqqjHKXKDMSyQ_UJCLVJA/w400-h294/IMG_20240209_152412703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French left flank at the end, Prussian cavalry have us outflanked, the rearguard position must be abandoned... but Houlier's division will not escape the pursuit. For them, the war is over...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-56346457844005110852024-02-11T06:22:00.000-08:002024-02-11T06:48:08.940-08:00Prussia Rising - campaign game 5 - the Battle of Gorlitz<p>Game 5 of the campaign, this time a made-up battle at Gorlitz, as my division, part of MacDonald’s corps, moves against Blucher’s Army of Lower Silesia. The summer truce is over and both side’s forces have started moving again, Napoleon with the goal of taking Berlin. The Austrians have entered the war (so Austrian allies are allowed for the Prussians). <br /><br />This action would be outside the town of Gorlitz as Blucher, believing Napoleon is in command, is pulling back and throwing rearguards in the French path. This is one such rear action. <br /><br />The Prussians, defending, have occupied a large hill and dug-in with a redoubt on it. My division, General Houlier’s, is ordered to attack, but that hill looks formidable, another plan must be found. <br /><br />Here is the day’s battlefield. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk1oh7F-tOg8xfblwsFcnYRlaszS9yL8nLjBsAEpWhG0VrBg8VUd115CGcffv-KJ2ZRYxNsKaC54NZjABqQiwllUD45brgx8GBJCM_HQf90xqjzR8_YzIW-sSYoFr8ooPPj26ALhBzDjV575a6zLZ4MJOAsaxvj8HSJwyH3PqA0wh5hSdd4Nc51H0ULmw/s510/5.%20Gorlitz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk1oh7F-tOg8xfblwsFcnYRlaszS9yL8nLjBsAEpWhG0VrBg8VUd115CGcffv-KJ2ZRYxNsKaC54NZjABqQiwllUD45brgx8GBJCM_HQf90xqjzR8_YzIW-sSYoFr8ooPPj26ALhBzDjV575a6zLZ4MJOAsaxvj8HSJwyH3PqA0wh5hSdd4Nc51H0ULmw/w400-h266/5.%20Gorlitz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Looking at this, my plan was to use my cavalry arm to try and win this one. An infantry attack up the hill, against his strongest brigade, dug-in with extra guns, would be bloody and the Wurttemberger allies are reluctant (and mostly militia quality) troops, they can’t do it, they just die attacking a stronger enemy. My French might, but again, half of them are reservists and militia, so not a strong attack force. Instead, they would just threaten an attack, a diversion, whilst I used my cavalry. I wanted a cavalry on cavalry fight, he only has light stuff, uhlan mainly, some hussars, but I have the dragoons, they would be the hammer, they can beat this lot! (I think). So, draw them forwards with my light cavalry, skirmish, draw his lance charges, then hit them full force with the dragoons. His reservist cavalry are weak, maybe I can destroy that entire brigade. Meanwhile, behind the cavalry, the Wurttembergers would aid as they can with skirmish fire and artillery fire. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNPOotHtnJ1TVEjEOGEgkhiqQQoNeIs7G1QZ-_7Nto3GidNhaHymJFGVhN9FdmkwfDhttFnPcFOloX5GP1q6iFMkSm0S90c0CD7MtXahU5j2jVB-_NKDVf5RLr2PmlenyNyEekyyg8fVgtHRVwvx12odSoPaiC5LLjd1WO6TvoXIFx8aTmiMWygwwwul2/s510/5.%20Gorlitz1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNPOotHtnJ1TVEjEOGEgkhiqQQoNeIs7G1QZ-_7Nto3GidNhaHymJFGVhN9FdmkwfDhttFnPcFOloX5GP1q6iFMkSm0S90c0CD7MtXahU5j2jVB-_NKDVf5RLr2PmlenyNyEekyyg8fVgtHRVwvx12odSoPaiC5LLjd1WO6TvoXIFx8aTmiMWygwwwul2/w400-h266/5.%20Gorlitz1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>So, deployed, French infantry on the left, Wurttembergers on the right, screened out front by my 3 light cavalry regiments (4th Hussars, 10th Chasseurs and 1st Wurttemberg chevau-leger). It was time to go, and await the dragoons from reserve. <br /><br />It started very well. Both sides sent out some skirmishers and my light cavalry cautiously advanced. With an ‘at the gallop’ special event his uhlan sped forwards to engage (good), and I used a 'stalled' event to stop the lead regiment cold. Oops, they stopped immobile in the centre of the field, under skirmish and cannon fire, before the Wurttemberg chevau-leger charged them and routed them! A win… the German light cavalry got shot-up for that but pulled back, rallied and lost some stands… but worth it. We exchanged cannon fire and I moved some infantry up, then rolled for a senior officer arriving, it was Napoleon himself, come to see what the hold-up was with these Prussians. Than obviously spurred the dragoons into action and they arrived, ready for the main strike. <br /><br />Up front, sparring still, I pushed my hussars up, and his reservists cavalry came forwards and deployed into attack columns. A first clash with the hussars saw them narrowly defeated and pullback to rally, but the lance sting was drawn. My chasseurs covered the horse battery guns from a sudden charge, and drew cannon fire themselves. From up on the hill, the Prussians opened fire with big 12 pdrs which covered most of the field from there. My counter-battery fire couldn’t hit, so he had my gunners ducking for cover with his longer range (and full caissons). Those cannons would be a pain for the rest of the battle, chipping in with hits.<br /><br />Time for the main cavalry fight to get underway. My reserve dragoons galloped up and formed lines, ready to charge, as his cavalry lined up as well. We faced each other, and then… wait for it… nothing! The Prussians didn’t advance (it turned out without any militia rally cards in hand they were not about to start a big fight) and my dragoons were too far away yet and not risking the counter-charge. So, cannons fired and two primed cavalry forces looked at each other, waiting for the other one to blink. <br /><br />I did first, OK, we’ll take it to them, both dragoon regiments and the hussars moved up, the dragoons ‘at the gallop’, then charged, crashing home, sabres out, and smashing his uhlans as they counter-charged. It was on. The fight was close, but the dragoons won, the hussars followed up to lend their handy aid too. Keeping up the pressure, the dragoons went in again, and won again, and his cavalry was in mess, trying to rally and losing stands as they tumbled back through his infantry lines. One reservist unit broke and ran. But my dragoons paid for their aggression, in skirmish and volley fire from a lot of Prussian infantry and riflemen, and cannon fire. They had to pullback and rally too, and loose some stands, and suddenly another two fresh uhlan units came forwards to try and finish them. My hussars intercept one and they fought and won, but the other’s charge broken a dragoon regiment in their counter-attack. <br /><br />Phew, to-and-fro with the cavalry, but his reservists were not worth much in VPs. I need to break the line uhlan units really. Rallied, my last dragoons tried again, and won again… driving the uhlan back, but they rallied to avoid breaking. Last restort, I sent in the chasseurs at speed to try and break an infantry line, but their brief attack didn’t do enough damage (it did win, first for my chasseurs), but the return fire was costly. In two intense turns of action, casualties had been high for both sides. His guns (especially those 12 pdrs on the hill) were hammering my cavalry and I lost the hussars. <br /><br />My cavalry attack was spent, it had come close to breaking the reservist brigade, two units had been routed, one was badly mauled on his own table edge, but I could not get to them to finish the job. The return damage done to my dragoons had been horrific (just 2 stands left from 10)… and the lost of the hussars cost me the VPs to win it for the Prussians… what? <br /><br />Lost again… I did more damage, but to far less valuable units (rolling 1s 3 times on the VPs table for militia cavalry didn’t help). Luck just didn’t go with at the end. My dragoons won fight after fight (8 out 10 cavalry to cavalry melees went to the French), but the Prussians claimed a cheeky ‘Hold the Line’ objective too, and the hussars are very good troops to lose. <br /><br />Post-game discussion, and really we both wanted the other side to come to us, I blinked first and was tempted by the ‘at the gallop’ special event (again). So my cavalry was taking punishment from his skirmishers and cannon, which I couldn’t do back. Maybe I should have waited longer (patience, patience), used 'Intimidate' actions with the dragoons to force his cavalry to do something, and/or moved my infantry into skirmish fire range first, so they could help. I fought with basically 1 arm, the cavalry, he had all 3 in the action. In the end, it was cracking fight, a real cavalry brawl this time. Infantry was largely untouched for both of us. The only Prussian ‘mistake’ was, perhaps, to be too strong in the redoubt. A weaker force might have attracted an attack, but his best infantry and most guns up on the hill made it an easy call for me to ignore them. If there were the poor old freikorps up there, maybe I have a real go at them, and its a different game. <br /><br />Shots of the action. Game 6 is due soon, if I can’t get a win, it’ll likely be the last of the campaign. Our next campaign plan is to do one set in the hundred days… Brits and Prussians vs the French in Belgium for 1815... later this year, some units to paint first. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsMtEDpHA27ea5MpauEszGOPDlI64LgSg5OrivdTQU1aeE1yBsOolX6MevCU1bdvSOS-fW5dBQXQLrb9ItH7BE0red6nGoDUaalyXQ0uE4zg5F2SOO98dkpvL_C9VP9NNMZS9eaSZBvgjh-LTYQTyUPK1YqCXXmmyOFQfS1fzS33kC2qEXZ7csGwUg-M/s624/IMG_20240122_112031469.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsMtEDpHA27ea5MpauEszGOPDlI64LgSg5OrivdTQU1aeE1yBsOolX6MevCU1bdvSOS-fW5dBQXQLrb9ItH7BE0red6nGoDUaalyXQ0uE4zg5F2SOO98dkpvL_C9VP9NNMZS9eaSZBvgjh-LTYQTyUPK1YqCXXmmyOFQfS1fzS33kC2qEXZ7csGwUg-M/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_112031469.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberger's screened by the light cavalry on the French right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WXBB_bw9rDQnaQRimW3xRQZ8Jfmj4ttAQtF3bynbEw1MO3C0dL7OLXYIYdjKvFtyEsGO_Xwo_yPCPHN8xLqX9146n-qlLk0LbBgHJ6GMOUWfp3I8Sd_8qjQ_7Y2WR3r3vscsTBVj-cQUadryUDtoEI_9I9fGUVvW3ACCNg4vE02KG_Gjy8j2uKDKS5ow/s624/IMG_20240122_112038627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WXBB_bw9rDQnaQRimW3xRQZ8Jfmj4ttAQtF3bynbEw1MO3C0dL7OLXYIYdjKvFtyEsGO_Xwo_yPCPHN8xLqX9146n-qlLk0LbBgHJ6GMOUWfp3I8Sd_8qjQ_7Y2WR3r3vscsTBVj-cQUadryUDtoEI_9I9fGUVvW3ACCNg4vE02KG_Gjy8j2uKDKS5ow/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_112038627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French left, infantry lines around the copse, no attack order here. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q-pauRvT_Jp8m1JXCd5Rjsnqn9fwPLs1dvohUi2vRwvdlJvsar8Zmhovv4_0aWl_jvlrOxr8jx6ZSgwygfRkox6j6PyjKdUffuUaJ2v3I12SjvApFWaqPMXmRN5uIGiGuhChrr4I3DqDb9q-G0f_aoXHzXte_xe5MnccOk4qvyf3LfVETU2EkvZsHR1e/s624/IMG_20240122_112057809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q-pauRvT_Jp8m1JXCd5Rjsnqn9fwPLs1dvohUi2vRwvdlJvsar8Zmhovv4_0aWl_jvlrOxr8jx6ZSgwygfRkox6j6PyjKdUffuUaJ2v3I12SjvApFWaqPMXmRN5uIGiGuhChrr4I3DqDb9q-G0f_aoXHzXte_xe5MnccOk4qvyf3LfVETU2EkvZsHR1e/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_112057809.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian left, the advanced guard, now rather battle weary. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dAPHJTuqpX16V7rxb88WCdU4g5Au1fvowyGV1aDWPFRKkwK_I31-c2E64hTpZ_rc6cRm3UB7VQyYNDu-jGrqhedqBwL2Bstzr9YEz1CMr272Vvy4_TawJHwiQth15ktiwtiDottzNXgT39eH5O8iv4pBJ5AlouvPa-9RSJg3ht7OK2U7ri6oyJEKBZHD/s624/IMG_20240122_112115200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dAPHJTuqpX16V7rxb88WCdU4g5Au1fvowyGV1aDWPFRKkwK_I31-c2E64hTpZ_rc6cRm3UB7VQyYNDu-jGrqhedqBwL2Bstzr9YEz1CMr272Vvy4_TawJHwiQth15ktiwtiDottzNXgT39eH5O8iv4pBJ5AlouvPa-9RSJg3ht7OK2U7ri6oyJEKBZHD/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_112115200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heavily defended redoubt on the hill, 12 pdrs with a rand stand view (and line of sight)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe8Gg8Ld2vyOMtPeMuldHO0WRwseKy6OAE-k7i8KW1AtP8gjjihc1xiZ8A61C7IECILTbyQAtRfzG5o9z38i6s8Atk1iUsMeswbACgNvK_EG0YOBmrjqStk2MBmUUaPT4qeEEwLrfWw2ks6ghgHc1pXoA7evoZxQgIa1K2LNM91FNa3RzbLCkNCgSLSdv/s624/IMG_20240122_120644278.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe8Gg8Ld2vyOMtPeMuldHO0WRwseKy6OAE-k7i8KW1AtP8gjjihc1xiZ8A61C7IECILTbyQAtRfzG5o9z38i6s8Atk1iUsMeswbACgNvK_EG0YOBmrjqStk2MBmUUaPT4qeEEwLrfWw2ks6ghgHc1pXoA7evoZxQgIa1K2LNM91FNa3RzbLCkNCgSLSdv/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_120644278.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg cavalry, first to charge, but suffering for it. The smoke is for 'obscuring smoke', from all the muskets shooting them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SaoOFq2NLJ4AOlO3Mjg-ihFoEikj1VpuMywFm4zZ7hh4jhyJDT-8HljFIxB5X1zO8AnifqVipdtzN2yB8_W5_J-NEy_Lw-6M3nT86LMnSPQdJdvrYA6FnP9tuq94OeJc6GqoYevRfCHUuV0MIjEfSvJYYi_i_nqu_Am8a3mC0f_0_bN4WAMcu7r2xHrd/s624/IMG_20240122_120650834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SaoOFq2NLJ4AOlO3Mjg-ihFoEikj1VpuMywFm4zZ7hh4jhyJDT-8HljFIxB5X1zO8AnifqVipdtzN2yB8_W5_J-NEy_Lw-6M3nT86LMnSPQdJdvrYA6FnP9tuq94OeJc6GqoYevRfCHUuV0MIjEfSvJYYi_i_nqu_Am8a3mC0f_0_bN4WAMcu7r2xHrd/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_120650834.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirmish lines square up as the French light cavalry manoeuvre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE_wd57NJ-_qMZsPgXQlHgPmEneG2LZXhMKiO5aOrEs23CFcf3GtCejWF3e_yiW5uVixGH1VngC6pqUipHtKez4OSqx5sYy45pRBqINhuwKZuxwTDj7zDoZDsVK7vP3u-aUHwz3Ky8TL2ZZYTtx2ZMe9TEKnH-WFJfL_uMLnPeJniINJ2c4cQZYNw8XO3/s624/IMG_20240122_132503250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE_wd57NJ-_qMZsPgXQlHgPmEneG2LZXhMKiO5aOrEs23CFcf3GtCejWF3e_yiW5uVixGH1VngC6pqUipHtKez4OSqx5sYy45pRBqINhuwKZuxwTDj7zDoZDsVK7vP3u-aUHwz3Ky8TL2ZZYTtx2ZMe9TEKnH-WFJfL_uMLnPeJniINJ2c4cQZYNw8XO3/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_132503250.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More action on the French right flank, the Wurttembergers have withdrawn, replaced by the hussars, chasseurs lurking if required. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxezbdfQim82YtWHgad7F1uHEu83Bp0ICwmi9sFtqc9K_a59yJD3kYTF1kJcPUlmBQptVoEZE-jH_9fg6fGOQKOru6QLHqmDh-DHeLHoBfmXy6dQCvIJEHX7IbFr_AuI0UYYyZAte1COQ3OSD_s5Hzbvpx27UH8hWvQZnV7lL70hzw9N2GDRD4smfcL3W/s624/IMG_20240122_132515272.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxezbdfQim82YtWHgad7F1uHEu83Bp0ICwmi9sFtqc9K_a59yJD3kYTF1kJcPUlmBQptVoEZE-jH_9fg6fGOQKOru6QLHqmDh-DHeLHoBfmXy6dQCvIJEHX7IbFr_AuI0UYYyZAte1COQ3OSD_s5Hzbvpx27UH8hWvQZnV7lL70hzw9N2GDRD4smfcL3W/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_132515272.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arrival of the dragoons... well, command stands, until they all gallop on and deploy into lines. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bl3pEKqb09og-jXR743cA3jsNBKzmTE4tgBOG02jpw9ArSCawjoEmznCGKXlHtmWFelcmFFLK6-dH5ipMxp53MYZhMWtO7Mfu_JVN61d2OTxru89dX5ARX94qWku9jtJjNVKNbgZsLx5eKaFz3q2QQ9gqcC-xGppU0w4xi0yey6BQWBI2NS8bOnHuwI/s624/IMG_20240122_132953830.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bl3pEKqb09og-jXR743cA3jsNBKzmTE4tgBOG02jpw9ArSCawjoEmznCGKXlHtmWFelcmFFLK6-dH5ipMxp53MYZhMWtO7Mfu_JVN61d2OTxru89dX5ARX94qWku9jtJjNVKNbgZsLx5eKaFz3q2QQ9gqcC-xGppU0w4xi0yey6BQWBI2NS8bOnHuwI/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_132953830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Emperor arrives, and looks grumpy... 'the Dragoons will carry the day your Majesty'<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwthKraPb5vSc2JHkP_VpfozJR-8Df2RAraKSDqSevp01kl3ghaUDC6CzVGv8howwEixJjTok3Tk5tCsSE8SajURequ5A-iIpQrTofMLid2id4Fal5bEkS6eT7QiOr_ZsIJrxyPOY9QyiG-jdXROa6P4l1sGIRtiVvnSnad5aD3iLeGFcyRogkA6bh-GOx/s624/IMG_20240122_145522415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwthKraPb5vSc2JHkP_VpfozJR-8Df2RAraKSDqSevp01kl3ghaUDC6CzVGv8howwEixJjTok3Tk5tCsSE8SajURequ5A-iIpQrTofMLid2id4Fal5bEkS6eT7QiOr_ZsIJrxyPOY9QyiG-jdXROa6P4l1sGIRtiVvnSnad5aD3iLeGFcyRogkA6bh-GOx/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_145522415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There they go, hammering into the Prussian cavalry in the centre, but too close to their infantry lines. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd0mdfpv2O_jCYpvSVHceSulgMl09TSn9jyMQcxPHEf9cc3IvgxfvL61hNQLSesXTIylSuOVA2381ydxz8KEX8aTSm71dTQ-APr1s5ev4_4H7SKQC2NPG_-_CtNoNO8cokoJJZB4akzVIAcnTQutv9kbYryJKDC7cYVPfF7fLerAWg2-Uy-bpZ7fxlhad/s624/IMG_20240122_145534129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd0mdfpv2O_jCYpvSVHceSulgMl09TSn9jyMQcxPHEf9cc3IvgxfvL61hNQLSesXTIylSuOVA2381ydxz8KEX8aTSm71dTQ-APr1s5ev4_4H7SKQC2NPG_-_CtNoNO8cokoJJZB4akzVIAcnTQutv9kbYryJKDC7cYVPfF7fLerAWg2-Uy-bpZ7fxlhad/w400-h300/IMG_20240122_145534129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ill-starred 10th Chasseurs, they did, err.. a bit... no glory, but not disgraced again today. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-6446665407046506432024-02-06T04:00:00.000-08:002024-02-06T04:13:54.144-08:00Prussia Rising - Game 4, Kleingorschen @ the Battle of Lutzen<p>As part of the battle of Lutzen, the small village of Kleingorschen, close to the centre of the battlefield, changed hands several times. By mid-afternoon, after heavy fighting, both sides had pulled back and it was in no-man’s land between the lines. Both sides had orders to seize it back, and for this task the French had part of the Young Imperial Guard in reserve. In this game, I brought them forwards (forward deployed) and would use them to take the village. Whilst the rest of my force, the Wurttemberg and French infantry and supporting light cavalry, would hold the fields beyond the village itself.<br /><br />My main attack then would be on my left, with the Young Guard infantry, whilst the others held the line to the right of them, and my light cavalry counter-attacked to stall his cavalry.<br /><br />Here was the battlefield at Kleingorschen.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYAxEwoI8EYtgnTsgOTzAcDDQX_Fpbxl2z7bIYBgCYDBF_A7k0x4EmiiAbYzjLGOUnLRS3jtDEseXhb7AZasaBLSjmWVPSophdotJtn5YNrzURNCt4HTU8en6ajGSyM-fxyYr1xYAOHNgXzRZjSskTW2NmzGcefiDwv0ExDiul7cMQ980gTQJMoWH8VBC/s510/4.%20Kleingorschen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYAxEwoI8EYtgnTsgOTzAcDDQX_Fpbxl2z7bIYBgCYDBF_A7k0x4EmiiAbYzjLGOUnLRS3jtDEseXhb7AZasaBLSjmWVPSophdotJtn5YNrzURNCt4HTU8en6ajGSyM-fxyYr1xYAOHNgXzRZjSskTW2NmzGcefiDwv0ExDiul7cMQ980gTQJMoWH8VBC/w400-h266/4.%20Kleingorschen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The battle began well, with the Guard infantry on the left getting forwards, into the village, sending their skirmishers through the gardens and lanes, and doing heavy damage to the Prussian fusiliers ahead of them. The fight for the village streets would consume the first ‘phase’ of the battle, and the Guard came out on top, breaking one fusilier battalion and damaging the other. Behind them, their grenadiers lurked to counter attack though. I claimed the ‘Take a Strongpoint’ objective and French had the early lead. <br /><br />The Prussians, seeking to take pressure of the street-fighting, sent their cavalry swiftly forwards and the French light cavalry where slow to arrive from reserve. French skirmishers did some damage to the Prussian lancers and hussars (including the 1st Lieb regiment), but they charged and drove the infantry back, needing the rally. But the return fire was heavy and the Prussian cavalry too had to pullback to rally. My line had been dented by held, although one Wurttemberger reservist battalion did break and run. It was close in VPs after this second ‘phase’ of the fighting. <br /><br />The battle for the streets of Kleingorschen resumed, with the Guard attacking agin, and driving the last Prussians out of church at bayonet point with a furious charge, crying ‘Vive L’Empereur!’. Then the Prussian grenadiers counter-attacked and drove them back too, and it was see-saw fight in the streets. Both sides rallying, the skirmish fire heavy, but neither side broke. The Prussians just rallied the second fusiliers battalion and the French were creeping closer to victory. <br /><br />But, the Prussian cavalry, mostly uhlan, hadn’t finished. They came forwards again, in a repeat of their first attack, but this time breaking a French battalion. My cavalry’s counter-attack stalled, (terrible Discipline rolls and no command points left), and so the Prussian uhlan did more damage. Another Wurttemberg battalion broke, their square intimidate by the uhlan around them, and their artillery battery was overrun. Their light infantry jaegers did, by a fluke, see off a charge of horse jaegers, but my own hussars’ charge was also defeated. The Prussians had sneaked into the lead. More intimidation from those damned uhlan saw my Chasseurs break (that unit have failed in everything in this campaign, utterly useless), and that was enough to see the Prussia claim the win. <br /><br />Well, that was close and I felt I had it with the Guard infantry doing good things and winning the village fight, until his grenadiers counter-attack saved the day. By then, the Guard had been weakened, but such good infantry excelled in the street-fighting. Really, my (utterly rubbish) light cavalry lost me the game. They failed to keep his cavalry off my own infantry and then lost fights and broke! Ah, another Prussian win, taking it to 2-10 to the Prussians in campaign VPs. Big gap.<br /><br />That was the end of the first half of the campaign, the summer truce of 1813 would now be called. We’ll have a quick reset, to then continue in late August, with the campaign VPs halved and both sides getting some much needed new recruits as reinforcements (all militia quality infantry though). We’d start again, with game 5, at 5-1 Prussia. Napeleon needs comeback soon, or this campaign is lost. Prussia is rising too fast!! <br /></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAeQ8x7CctmMOMvx6uJHz82M0akUcPpGJkx_Sb231_4bl50tKFbu42FbpipJsRlI9qNqAVFwtoo8fmtZbaTNtViMoWibyu5foSweh4fHO8XzK0JHVZkfkc8dcv4X7LQp6Axj3WSiZps3CR6QhGNFFMB7kDOuUNynHuH7t0HB1J2yNwwZV_o7f4_4Fwagt/s638/IMG_20240105_200215284.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAeQ8x7CctmMOMvx6uJHz82M0akUcPpGJkx_Sb231_4bl50tKFbu42FbpipJsRlI9qNqAVFwtoo8fmtZbaTNtViMoWibyu5foSweh4fHO8XzK0JHVZkfkc8dcv4X7LQp6Axj3WSiZps3CR6QhGNFFMB7kDOuUNynHuH7t0HB1J2yNwwZV_o7f4_4Fwagt/w400-h294/IMG_20240105_200215284.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field. Prussia closest, French far side. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7GytvIXREUQsPA5LCqUvdBvgURKicBSTdsRnnf92CtuU545czzR1jwUTfzXDXpvjxN_dbGRPvZzSI5IpttC70XYKpK2PCbDHwcAqDwHeTYCwx-1EOC2lkKFz1ASQQvIvCPB0HMAJZOiIVSvwDLXHEEyv6fif8vxrZpZnc-rCdOxbqa-hL7poYk2rXAeo/s638/IMG_20240106_112338115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7GytvIXREUQsPA5LCqUvdBvgURKicBSTdsRnnf92CtuU545czzR1jwUTfzXDXpvjxN_dbGRPvZzSI5IpttC70XYKpK2PCbDHwcAqDwHeTYCwx-1EOC2lkKFz1ASQQvIvCPB0HMAJZOiIVSvwDLXHEEyv6fif8vxrZpZnc-rCdOxbqa-hL7poYk2rXAeo/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112338115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian infantry deploy on their left<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oeZyktpDPB0T2CZydY1Rf7tQdLvb4tnR0BeTUjBbwpqgRNISV_md_EosYBsaXijXTCVE5sjfLypjBILRKmIQ2z7_3r1TX9He21RV907vC4c7JEjjTe1kSWg40BYe1LVg1uR82J_erduwYeg2T7J1zqCfPYjx91FRsKaqijbDGuukImGSFg3n2rsNJlh7/s638/IMG_20240106_112343311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oeZyktpDPB0T2CZydY1Rf7tQdLvb4tnR0BeTUjBbwpqgRNISV_md_EosYBsaXijXTCVE5sjfLypjBILRKmIQ2z7_3r1TX9He21RV907vC4c7JEjjTe1kSWg40BYe1LVg1uR82J_erduwYeg2T7J1zqCfPYjx91FRsKaqijbDGuukImGSFg3n2rsNJlh7/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112343311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian centre<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSB5gChZinOGH0xz9x55_PNZstKA3siCWj__xCcYQpTFxouj7oiy0ATNH6HUHcy08fTFlBaJS5iQpgnNLLbezif0O39Ofj_txfrpIiV0O6HFVWzEsTMTWOgIwKvE3FgjhcuaUfkU5EsyCBe8LIJ1H_CaV6Rte4fW8HDkD2PyVSWgqByIN-xanp_TrCsAx/s638/IMG_20240106_112353939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSB5gChZinOGH0xz9x55_PNZstKA3siCWj__xCcYQpTFxouj7oiy0ATNH6HUHcy08fTFlBaJS5iQpgnNLLbezif0O39Ofj_txfrpIiV0O6HFVWzEsTMTWOgIwKvE3FgjhcuaUfkU5EsyCBe8LIJ1H_CaV6Rte4fW8HDkD2PyVSWgqByIN-xanp_TrCsAx/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112353939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their advanced guard, to contest the village, fusiliers, grenadiers and uhlan regiment. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvI_mq-fiFfkLkW7tyFxJ-9ZwPOYnuaC4tFsovLbYvunrGLhhsbGOk6GLsHUGKOEtge03z8ms9xWI8ytlo4ijkEI0iaNkI9w-NdnTBh_DL-19tb0H_B3u4NRei3Cu5MD-lz8xTmrPpjx4ZARd3xQlm2Gk-COgiMX-Tc-A_B2J3tBsLdMdMT2m8r2va3Dou/s638/IMG_20240106_112407498.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvI_mq-fiFfkLkW7tyFxJ-9ZwPOYnuaC4tFsovLbYvunrGLhhsbGOk6GLsHUGKOEtge03z8ms9xWI8ytlo4ijkEI0iaNkI9w-NdnTBh_DL-19tb0H_B3u4NRei3Cu5MD-lz8xTmrPpjx4ZARd3xQlm2Gk-COgiMX-Tc-A_B2J3tBsLdMdMT2m8r2va3Dou/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112407498.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French lines on their right<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BgY4XPRWWOmVHVDdPpkHLB7ZD5NZIaPOHLoWed7UhkF9VnOZoSkHAaE6dqG_o_ov1OYqowFplxkswBYCYDwdGTYcKCeB_O6sXQG_EKXIGHnMGbeWP-PYe9Ak4XGSM6wFReEzSIsNYaSpgRHPk_csTw_5Tfdj05_RN0wsdCGpg3DyVHoqwcMs-TIGQPFe/s638/IMG_20240106_115251336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BgY4XPRWWOmVHVDdPpkHLB7ZD5NZIaPOHLoWed7UhkF9VnOZoSkHAaE6dqG_o_ov1OYqowFplxkswBYCYDwdGTYcKCeB_O6sXQG_EKXIGHnMGbeWP-PYe9Ak4XGSM6wFReEzSIsNYaSpgRHPk_csTw_5Tfdj05_RN0wsdCGpg3DyVHoqwcMs-TIGQPFe/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_115251336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberger centre, advance to defend the hedge/windbreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aRpS4_6_Zu47HIDKffbyQQ1ORP1TyPvZx5-5EGrmgpPNyMUctxA4UtSiOVUM0BdPm37suAW4hE1jJg2yjbH8ktYWScPlu1utV66W3c5N-_gGAW9lTEb3V70qE-IgUb93oYbzCoT_WAd2CHHC-ZZ8MBnqc20RtNeA5ukx2Lq4MXZsIuHT_rJ2GfjTEyAS/s638/IMG_20240106_115242656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aRpS4_6_Zu47HIDKffbyQQ1ORP1TyPvZx5-5EGrmgpPNyMUctxA4UtSiOVUM0BdPm37suAW4hE1jJg2yjbH8ktYWScPlu1utV66W3c5N-_gGAW9lTEb3V70qE-IgUb93oYbzCoT_WAd2CHHC-ZZ8MBnqc20RtNeA5ukx2Lq4MXZsIuHT_rJ2GfjTEyAS/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_115242656.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussia moves into Kleingorschen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOkwxCbMu4lVzWb068OflOCBDmQRPmWs3feNNVx1DSucCrJO-fclD7ThMum8QM5Vr9XNf60ywaiKZiBhyuuN8AVaymgFXpiRO-sS6pkfr4eI1P10DAhvuXxErk4T1N3c7y_ZX9ooe4AoDRqlWsmFDYWBFDgqPw_3o3O_JZBP1WcM-ojN5f6j5bHU3QMF/s638/IMG_20240106_115230304.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOkwxCbMu4lVzWb068OflOCBDmQRPmWs3feNNVx1DSucCrJO-fclD7ThMum8QM5Vr9XNf60ywaiKZiBhyuuN8AVaymgFXpiRO-sS6pkfr4eI1P10DAhvuXxErk4T1N3c7y_ZX9ooe4AoDRqlWsmFDYWBFDgqPw_3o3O_JZBP1WcM-ojN5f6j5bHU3QMF/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_115230304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and so do the Yound Guard infantry<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwtpyEQuT7EzrSmrK_2eqGxnQAMUGgH8J1aTDjePy-zZ_42iDhwbxm_jq7K-WX7RhGbrU61L1FIDmkVEm0clcawXyhlAt_DZtjQCHQD-S-dEcdGWWsK6WcP4FtOC5dEJAeiqF7ftuzHjEgrJJ3OHmrtDQol6uRNiYizPrXb2lJtFRfDqSVnZHvzDmyrkD/s638/IMG_20240106_112428537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwtpyEQuT7EzrSmrK_2eqGxnQAMUGgH8J1aTDjePy-zZ_42iDhwbxm_jq7K-WX7RhGbrU61L1FIDmkVEm0clcawXyhlAt_DZtjQCHQD-S-dEcdGWWsK6WcP4FtOC5dEJAeiqF7ftuzHjEgrJJ3OHmrtDQol6uRNiYizPrXb2lJtFRfDqSVnZHvzDmyrkD/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112428537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole field. White cotton markers are a reminder that this is taking place in fog and drifting smoke clouds. -1 dice to firing and restricted artillery range... drat! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnvItQG5XVgJG2p1qzm-BOnaa-qMarULdaW7GqyjlcrTXJ4S3HXsmw0E9NHNw70XLbOB09UdZG0SSW7QlfNouy_ilKhg_q3FcD451MMU28GVc8q1EEXX8_c5xG8ty8yNMbHpdPBfcQItxRccKgSof4uUmhCNYQ3qfNmyJzOVZHdc08oel2WN4XhGC1ZFG/s638/IMG_20240106_112419831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnvItQG5XVgJG2p1qzm-BOnaa-qMarULdaW7GqyjlcrTXJ4S3HXsmw0E9NHNw70XLbOB09UdZG0SSW7QlfNouy_ilKhg_q3FcD451MMU28GVc8q1EEXX8_c5xG8ty8yNMbHpdPBfcQItxRccKgSof4uUmhCNYQ3qfNmyJzOVZHdc08oel2WN4XhGC1ZFG/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112419831.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg, about to get in the fight today, and regret it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20DXIgYslKUXySSQA9W137xCJqjIa0oUqzXTpLE73_DHlpshCqF-B_zPXv3jDT9c0aJgbnn3RjRr311KOjObIRMK25LwPvT-4j2hUZFC4qQlpjBbUAJE28yXAV04l0KXNUpkxrPTOh3NHdiRh8qgRe5UuBmI6vLhvLiWRszkX512pllFIGn0ep4LzrU0S/s638/IMG_20240106_112416490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20DXIgYslKUXySSQA9W137xCJqjIa0oUqzXTpLE73_DHlpshCqF-B_zPXv3jDT9c0aJgbnn3RjRr311KOjObIRMK25LwPvT-4j2hUZFC4qQlpjBbUAJE28yXAV04l0KXNUpkxrPTOh3NHdiRh8qgRe5UuBmI6vLhvLiWRszkX512pllFIGn0ep4LzrU0S/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_112416490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forth the Young Guard, take that village. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67qXTeAdjmgFSEVdmRy4kPLwjgurJpwwjOARmbln8IUGEXJ5W3onV5YXuGKw3jkJjSLnEcnpAulJltmP2cwarb99-un5eNo08O2_Lv8j8n9B2rUDRzaEu7VVr36FAosqqbotPZoxAB0sn4rQo0LgCY-sCnWFuS_R42gR1pmmGfn6fERnrSQqxeX1k0WwO/s638/IMG_20240106_123321218.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67qXTeAdjmgFSEVdmRy4kPLwjgurJpwwjOARmbln8IUGEXJ5W3onV5YXuGKw3jkJjSLnEcnpAulJltmP2cwarb99-un5eNo08O2_Lv8j8n9B2rUDRzaEu7VVr36FAosqqbotPZoxAB0sn4rQo0LgCY-sCnWFuS_R42gR1pmmGfn6fERnrSQqxeX1k0WwO/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_123321218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The allies at the hedge line, but under fire, and not looking very solid. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Oa08eCjOebBT63cyut6nN66L7L4VQ-BivmRBkhusPwQa59DqXdrE49P5167pOQf-oTIL6FIyTcILupn8y_Cqb1957yt3Qm4j_vFC0KmiiYdkVcWiObjQNmtCSZofiB9hTZjA_7hNa7zApFm2dX73mHZHe2l1_3S8AXSglfSwjWtEIaJBSGHQqZciIlG/s638/IMG_20240106_123340035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Oa08eCjOebBT63cyut6nN66L7L4VQ-BivmRBkhusPwQa59DqXdrE49P5167pOQf-oTIL6FIyTcILupn8y_Cqb1957yt3Qm4j_vFC0KmiiYdkVcWiObjQNmtCSZofiB9hTZjA_7hNa7zApFm2dX73mHZHe2l1_3S8AXSglfSwjWtEIaJBSGHQqZciIlG/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_123340035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guard voltiguers doing a brisk business in the streets. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlC4_E5MwbdcXnpeBNqmUQlzMODAs0AXSXuGV6QVMAj5mJ0IHZHONRHdjv2XEguSbDengz-HWsGWRjiE02CMzYaLLgu4ftWLADT3uYe0VE4Yr7mY1A4PgANUL9m1G32Hf3B3MvHWwi7OQuaq2pqiILkx2kSHkAz3sgA56qAkv7nNlSmzf5t6xF5OI9kaw/s638/IMG_20240106_123406601.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlC4_E5MwbdcXnpeBNqmUQlzMODAs0AXSXuGV6QVMAj5mJ0IHZHONRHdjv2XEguSbDengz-HWsGWRjiE02CMzYaLLgu4ftWLADT3uYe0VE4Yr7mY1A4PgANUL9m1G32Hf3B3MvHWwi7OQuaq2pqiILkx2kSHkAz3sgA56qAkv7nNlSmzf5t6xF5OI9kaw/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_123406601.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian skirmish line, with riflemen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1TsSr881R-gbApD7s2HcvEpRN4mSelfx2FlSXnnUqw0UmhcABIe6h8TexyZGnUGKrYOe3PTVr4wVbqBwxT_g8u0tGfXltQmY4hSLDP76pRdrGDiFSCyFNIAeMRTZhyphenhyphenePRfdamQcm9wzP6bFB2jAuKZFvq7rrn6qb5_Zb4Y6AeJNe1qDPg1UlR6pkD-1B/s638/IMG_20240106_132534174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1TsSr881R-gbApD7s2HcvEpRN4mSelfx2FlSXnnUqw0UmhcABIe6h8TexyZGnUGKrYOe3PTVr4wVbqBwxT_g8u0tGfXltQmY4hSLDP76pRdrGDiFSCyFNIAeMRTZhyphenhyphenePRfdamQcm9wzP6bFB2jAuKZFvq7rrn6qb5_Zb4Y6AeJNe1qDPg1UlR6pkD-1B/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_132534174.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charge to take the church... the Prussians are breaking! Onward the Guard! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO058gwSfLMYxTVNkSaNRSe-0a4DyOBHUH2zF7FZRPhjBgTLgNbBPXN9KojjyDP9wDEudGCQFyARpX02xzE7jvuEnT6bLruw5jLRUoPEVqMTOU4YLJtOYEpLf6-FsD_HW8lMw0HCDupni7esYQ8YSGR9wN2YhrKctJvkw0Ue9O2cSD7Uk9qLlO0IQCB9u/s638/IMG_20240106_132552587.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO058gwSfLMYxTVNkSaNRSe-0a4DyOBHUH2zF7FZRPhjBgTLgNbBPXN9KojjyDP9wDEudGCQFyARpX02xzE7jvuEnT6bLruw5jLRUoPEVqMTOU4YLJtOYEpLf6-FsD_HW8lMw0HCDupni7esYQ8YSGR9wN2YhrKctJvkw0Ue9O2cSD7Uk9qLlO0IQCB9u/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_132552587.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian cavalry come forwards to begin their attack. Hussars and uhlan. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9n9zOdIJHwpJrf9ce1MxzXNbAr08IOSSVq4B8roIqfu4uNz3gZmluLAWhU_FK97mjs04gSX7rS37scpd7BLH_mbMKzo-4WG1W6-cWrZHVq5YtIUpf9RUm2o2DM5hHwwDAd-dPdHeEMyh7TQowpzSR1WJYkXCjgGNQKDyOZUajSWqb6vkwA8qnr9hl5Mc/s638/IMG_20240106_132604737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9n9zOdIJHwpJrf9ce1MxzXNbAr08IOSSVq4B8roIqfu4uNz3gZmluLAWhU_FK97mjs04gSX7rS37scpd7BLH_mbMKzo-4WG1W6-cWrZHVq5YtIUpf9RUm2o2DM5hHwwDAd-dPdHeEMyh7TQowpzSR1WJYkXCjgGNQKDyOZUajSWqb6vkwA8qnr9hl5Mc/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_132604737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberger square, shaky... then running.... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQCnCDj4NWYCKg3TMhCMIaXVGSS8Z5AccYJuktHwcDz1E26NCaHNNGkm9E_QdWig9CnNS2N6HEQVw70MIZXMwWcZ2I5jCDkF-VhjFKhFQePeoMW-7w2v_3vH5W_-7LBZXnpFCGcR8FnHnFtEXcFCTzYysvk3Y0VxyEBZlvip5dEO7xD-Glpx24uKC04Zu/s638/IMG_20240106_143835360.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQCnCDj4NWYCKg3TMhCMIaXVGSS8Z5AccYJuktHwcDz1E26NCaHNNGkm9E_QdWig9CnNS2N6HEQVw70MIZXMwWcZ2I5jCDkF-VhjFKhFQePeoMW-7w2v_3vH5W_-7LBZXnpFCGcR8FnHnFtEXcFCTzYysvk3Y0VxyEBZlvip5dEO7xD-Glpx24uKC04Zu/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_143835360.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the light infantry hold the hedge and see-off the horse jaegers... rare win<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVFGg0F0LfnWqwtctcwNeHvECgYimXldGu2JlBqAFKHSqSqA2ihzoNVW5WYho9-LsUntG2-YXJ75lT13WGJmd8isTBPIId9zrMXWyFdKvGDbtZWJUHAVsNHjVrmdRd02kdLC5MxkPy9LESor74J4UENBQvLeyASa7lVtyXTJG26J_AHajhGy0SVNPi0b8/s638/IMG_20240106_144712605.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVFGg0F0LfnWqwtctcwNeHvECgYimXldGu2JlBqAFKHSqSqA2ihzoNVW5WYho9-LsUntG2-YXJ75lT13WGJmd8isTBPIId9zrMXWyFdKvGDbtZWJUHAVsNHjVrmdRd02kdLC5MxkPy9LESor74J4UENBQvLeyASa7lVtyXTJG26J_AHajhGy0SVNPi0b8/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_144712605.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hussars charge and cut down French light infantry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlGmrc1kgBe3Z4NUVnGE8asED4fERCZgJDdaSoWZsHNy3UKQsib0slUWPfWouAChv-tkGne8eY6j4oejvONsrwkHxcz5ptshzVUHXIY77RvOWzVmCx_5q_yT3hOeuBb24V93Jt_dgfIqYZ6ESMXzW2TKVdXZYpYae8BIiDHsFleuOogadI4P4NqotEqvH/s638/IMG_20240106_151046183.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlGmrc1kgBe3Z4NUVnGE8asED4fERCZgJDdaSoWZsHNy3UKQsib0slUWPfWouAChv-tkGne8eY6j4oejvONsrwkHxcz5ptshzVUHXIY77RvOWzVmCx_5q_yT3hOeuBb24V93Jt_dgfIqYZ6ESMXzW2TKVdXZYpYae8BIiDHsFleuOogadI4P4NqotEqvH/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_151046183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French hussars finally counter-charge, but are then defeated as well. Terrible from my cavalry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyrrpk1fxJa3eIxpXVM6HzTAdG5IERI9jpYKoNmdhC9QVmILCOKzruxbP2v7MhGuOxNuKhK1SJAG37bBqYglG16xzNA7Po6sg4hSFW_Lwe0lckDHur0QUB_73hSX73xPALvENrVfoDxuUEnLaFhMo08V6rhcg9udpN3i4zoo385guZWMQNM3iPX8qjgWg/s638/IMG_20240106_151052947.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="638" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyrrpk1fxJa3eIxpXVM6HzTAdG5IERI9jpYKoNmdhC9QVmILCOKzruxbP2v7MhGuOxNuKhK1SJAG37bBqYglG16xzNA7Po6sg4hSFW_Lwe0lckDHur0QUB_73hSX73xPALvENrVfoDxuUEnLaFhMo08V6rhcg9udpN3i4zoo385guZWMQNM3iPX8qjgWg/w400-h294/IMG_20240106_151052947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of the field... Prussia cavalry have done enough to win the day. The French must pullback from Kleingorschen. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-73359149343259809522024-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:002024-01-03T11:39:49.396-08:00Prussia Rising, campaign game 3 - the Battle of Neutz<p>The third of our campaign games, set in the spring of 1813, with the Prussians here moving south from Madgeburg towards Halle, with orders for the advanced guard to contest a bridge over the Saale river, at Wettin, but my reinforced French division are already in place in a blocking position near the village of Neutz. This would be a 1000 point game, Corps-level, with 4 brigades each. My forces were the 2 infantry brigades of Houlier’s division, Cherou’s French infantry and von Zieger’s allied Wurttembergers. Added to this were, for their first outing, Gerrard’s dragoon brigade and, in reserve, Le Tallec’s light cavalry brigade.<br /><br />The Prussians had <i>Ritter</i> von Fuch’s division of the advanced guard and Lutzow’s Freicorps, with attached, a light cavalry brigade of uhlan and horse jaegers and a small infantry brigade, reinforced by rifle detachments. The cavalry would start in reserve.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-DPCmU0ql1Wra0sqfqkN61GGVpALXstVjvlbAxqGeBZ36UnDcEep3rq1_CS5yLko6AlwhQjm6RU42b4oD5ELXKkPV5j6YqzbduT5YT1dkOkfY_MtCkOoG94UmWoTBLsh2BrEx193s_ZiaEz1dvCosB3oVHbM5YnPu_Plcf3m-3GyPQxwjWr-3eIyFCvr/s510/3.Neutz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-DPCmU0ql1Wra0sqfqkN61GGVpALXstVjvlbAxqGeBZ36UnDcEep3rq1_CS5yLko6AlwhQjm6RU42b4oD5ELXKkPV5j6YqzbduT5YT1dkOkfY_MtCkOoG94UmWoTBLsh2BrEx193s_ZiaEz1dvCosB3oVHbM5YnPu_Plcf3m-3GyPQxwjWr-3eIyFCvr/w400-h400/3.Neutz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /><br />Here was the battlefield at Neutz, the edge of the village in Prussian hands (bottom). They deployed with Lutzow’s Freicorps on their right, holding Neutz. In the centre, screening again, was the strong advanced guard, with the other infantry on the left, backed by the reserve cavalry. Lining up against them, the Wurttembergers were on the French right, with their main attack in the centre with the infantry and the dragoons on the right, behind them would quickly (from turn 1) come the light cavalry in support. The plan for the French was to attack in the centre, wait for all the cavalry to gather and launch a strong cavalry attack on the right, and win it here. The Wurttembergers would make a demonstration/harassing effort towards the village, but only to draw in Prussian troops and attention. The infantry would keep the enemy busy until the cavalry hit with a swift right hook… not complex stuff. For this, I took the bull by the horns and chose an ‘All Out Attack’ strategy – go get ‘em! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJJSFLOGxbsnOUd_iiYwbtZY-PATckLVsc1xKVlyvpdyWH4_s4nqNC9Rg1JZLzbqD5m7tyfmiZ45g95USBdqyQ1KRIwbJ1j2Pxns3htCDgXWx3HP76QD8mQgmY6ORJEnrm4B6mzFjVgDvQ9krSFzzsg30vgweFjc6fgofjwdHjBGISpn7Veqe2KTXn_vW/s510/3.Neutz2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJJSFLOGxbsnOUd_iiYwbtZY-PATckLVsc1xKVlyvpdyWH4_s4nqNC9Rg1JZLzbqD5m7tyfmiZ45g95USBdqyQ1KRIwbJ1j2Pxns3htCDgXWx3HP76QD8mQgmY6ORJEnrm4B6mzFjVgDvQ9krSFzzsg30vgweFjc6fgofjwdHjBGISpn7Veqe2KTXn_vW/w400-h400/3.Neutz2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic movements of the battle. Generous to the Wurttembergs here, never got passed the house. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The Prussians would be making a steady advance with their infantry, pushing hardest with the strong advanced guard brigade in the centre, with some support on each flank from his other infantry. His cavalry would have to try and counter mine, but hopefully the dragoons would give me the edge here. <br /><br />It began with both sides moving up, getting guns into place and range and some early skirmishing, to not much effect. The French light cavalry didn’t turn up on turn 1, which would have been handy, but patience was required, they be here, then we go. Prussian artillery fire was generally terrible, a feature of this fighting so far, they do struggle to hit much, whilst the French did some damage. After a few moves, the two centres were about to clash, my light infantry screening line with his fusiliers, an even(ish) fight, with lots of good skirmishers about, but a withering volley from his line sent mine back, bloodied and rallying… (this has happened before, in game 1, deja vu). So that didn’t go too well. Turn 2 ended and my light cavalry again didn’t show up, even with a command point re-roll… ho-hum. The dragoons patience wouldn’t last forever, they were under cannon fire now and keen for the off. Many tempting Prussians ahead of them to attack… <br /><br />Turn 3 and, with an ‘At the Gallop’ special event too useful to ignore, my two dragoon regiments spurred off towards the enemy in a lone attack, with a follow-up charge sending one infantry battalion reeling, in disorder, into a ragged square and rallying. First blood, but the return fire was heavy, and the dragoons also had to fallback to rally. Prussian infantry formed square… a must really to avoid carnage, but the ragged one was intimidated by the aggressive dragoons and broke anyway, fleeing the field. The cavalry attack had started without the light cavalry, but gone OK, my dragoons were exposed though. End of turn 3 and Le Tallec’s hussars and chasseurs arrived and would gallop up at top speed in line of march to get into the action which had started without them. In the centre it was stalemate, both sides skirmish firing away, cannons missing. The Wurttembergers and Freicorps had had few orders and so sat looking at each other, too far away to play much of a role. I needed to get them up, but the demand on cards, to get those light cavalry moving meant they’d have to wait… you just can’t do everything! <br /><br />Turn 5 and the French had slim lead, but the Prussian’s in the centre were starting to get the upper hand, their grenadiers attacked, charged and smashed a light infantry battalion into rout, forcing me to march up a reservist battalion to try and stop them. These too would be defeated by the bold grenadiers, but in doing so, the grenadiers too would be lost. All of this of course was a distraction (and deliberately so) from the main event, from my attempted cavalry attack. This also struggled. One dragoon regiment was ‘stalled’ (by a special event) and so could neither charge on, or fallback to safety and rally, and so, despite my best efforts, it would be shot-up and lost. The light cavalry moved, got into position and formation to charge, but when the time came, to try and push for that grand assault objective, only the hussar actually charged, to be met by counter-charging uhlan, which they beat, just. The cavalry assault was now on, if only I could pass some charge tests (command points had all now been used and not one actual worked as a re-roll all game). <br /><br />Into turn 6, it was close still, but the Prussians now had the narrow lead. I had one turn to complete my grand assault objective, or, most likely, lose. So, I threw everything into the cavalry attack, the hussars charged again, to be met by counter-charging horse jaegers this time, and won again (finally, hussars doing well), but they also needed to rally and faced Prussia guns loaded with canister. My other light cavalry, the chasseurs and Wurttemberg chevau-leger, refused again… so frustrating!. My veteran 19th light infantry did charge and win their melee, driving back his fusiliers so the light cavalry regiments were the key to it, charge gloriously, win the melees against his ragged infantry or already disordered cavalry, gain the important objective and take the game… just pass those charge tests! I tried, a lot, and failed all. The chasseurs and chevau-leger would not go forwards (oh to have saved the command point re-rolls). Instead, they took more skirmish fire and I had to rally them and the hussars to keep them from breaking. Still, the rally and then the failed objective’s VPs gave the Prussians just enough VPs to claim a win. Drat… sometimes the damned dice just thwart you. <br /><br />It was close, and the French light cavalry could have still won it right until the last card play, if only they would charge (even on a risky consecutive order), but instead of gaining a D6+3 VPs, I lost a -D3, and that was the narrow difference.<br /><br />It was not all the dice's fault, my cavalry attack had been an ill co-ordinated affair, the dragoons went too soon without support, I used the 'at the gallop' event when I should have just waited… patience failed me. The dragoons didn’t do enough damage and ended up taking a beating. I didn’t do enough with the Wurttembergers either they were wasted this game and could have helped out, even with skirmishers, in the centre. This attack had not been well commanded... <br /><br />Neutz then was a narrow Prussian win… they had done just enough… we rolled up the campaign events and sorted the attrition on our divisional units… several are now looking very tired (except the under employed Wurttembergers, they need to take some of the heavy lifting next time I feel). One event would be major ‘grand battle’ for next time. In our 1813 timeline, this would obviously be at Lutzen, so that will be it, next time we’ll meet somewhere on that battlefield, with extra campaign VPs at stake in a large army-level, game with 5 brigades… big bash, that’ll be fun. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p> Action at Neutz...<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFwBZQejSsK3EpsxLYF5d9gYcp_2h_MkS37fTYKGFd4L0VV_rt5JNOQlrlhG84VMY8nmDGpURHAZW2mwCG_sIejCE3LC6PEMliTJNykSoNMeYe29VZsERWYN6eVyDSVvYHsrfWFwDZ-ox0Le_tXwEaYWmLXlAsGK_-DvRmd2AcZoTvhyfuL3M6fo7NcJS/s624/IMG_20231221_102323573.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFwBZQejSsK3EpsxLYF5d9gYcp_2h_MkS37fTYKGFd4L0VV_rt5JNOQlrlhG84VMY8nmDGpURHAZW2mwCG_sIejCE3LC6PEMliTJNykSoNMeYe29VZsERWYN6eVyDSVvYHsrfWFwDZ-ox0Le_tXwEaYWmLXlAsGK_-DvRmd2AcZoTvhyfuL3M6fo7NcJS/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_102323573.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg stands ready... ready to do very little... unreliable allies...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB3S6aK16p_MSJLX6T_-tl90LyuC9WryUzvYG3KHsbCbJ72RvOIbSdvhhm9ytequWdBXKK0y-lfwknPEjB4pqMx65G5VySx_RUs-83JQ_QpZ1VIJP3ZfJqP3EEQNN6hgiiqPA2oQHhha1rJkghTmiH6_badL-00neyiCKGA2eJXFbJpIOlDSXNv-S_XVd/s624/IMG_20231221_102332604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB3S6aK16p_MSJLX6T_-tl90LyuC9WryUzvYG3KHsbCbJ72RvOIbSdvhhm9ytequWdBXKK0y-lfwknPEjB4pqMx65G5VySx_RUs-83JQ_QpZ1VIJP3ZfJqP3EEQNN6hgiiqPA2oQHhha1rJkghTmiH6_badL-00neyiCKGA2eJXFbJpIOlDSXNv-S_XVd/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_102332604.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard's dragoons on the French right, with their horse battery, well out of range. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxFajzsnbv27cMQZ2r0nWksJ4EvM2paVTH46wFV7_GjMbbsG9QQlQyAWjIcHDiGhG8J3violJUhLY4TfbXd-W5Bk8Zdjj5w9V2Bd8hrL64Y5UkwOxauVvOVHGk_zwBA21MVS7qixdSX7cMLi9kP4ABvVL6EiAdg96OrsrPC-Pn-XlaEtcpl8yq_bhqWMm/s624/IMG_20231221_102345405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxFajzsnbv27cMQZ2r0nWksJ4EvM2paVTH46wFV7_GjMbbsG9QQlQyAWjIcHDiGhG8J3violJUhLY4TfbXd-W5Bk8Zdjj5w9V2Bd8hrL64Y5UkwOxauVvOVHGk_zwBA21MVS7qixdSX7cMLi9kP4ABvVL6EiAdg96OrsrPC-Pn-XlaEtcpl8yq_bhqWMm/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_102345405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lutzow volunteers move into the edge of Neutz and around it. It would be a quiet day for these men. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUtc0gz79b41MUCQbDc55N8Ap-SuJqIfXJ8yQBMhZySD9VgMZb9ssxO8S2UugN9TKZAb3Nah7bRTV0MCpj-aYcj_jTQiYLwmuv-BD8zjMgD1A4LHPFvWbxsskRIKSApmzK4zVo40wg_P9EiBTTVxdlXSE9ocnYjmVLw_xVwF0ZqRcqrh60c8lT7JCu_r6/s624/IMG_20231221_102350436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUtc0gz79b41MUCQbDc55N8Ap-SuJqIfXJ8yQBMhZySD9VgMZb9ssxO8S2UugN9TKZAb3Nah7bRTV0MCpj-aYcj_jTQiYLwmuv-BD8zjMgD1A4LHPFvWbxsskRIKSApmzK4zVo40wg_P9EiBTTVxdlXSE9ocnYjmVLw_xVwF0ZqRcqrh60c8lT7JCu_r6/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_102350436.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian centre, with supporting uhlan and grenadiers. The advanced guard are proving effective as a combined arms unit, good light infantry, riflemen, grenadiers, uhlan and cannons... a mini-army in itself. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPzZml-tIxgHIaokq4cm1AZy835DJ7hTPnFf8m0IuwKt05qszyZhmO9wGSgn8_lQIAlvYq4SNld_ZD3eCasVtK0xfx-ebEmGw94u5b7T4Sgbzk1bSrcTmEMWXfoZDbAKXEQQEruXL36wU5NyoHRMliTBI2cQhos4mTJHri9OynZnVil4UunldXhCkCNlc/s624/IMG_20231221_113932038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPzZml-tIxgHIaokq4cm1AZy835DJ7hTPnFf8m0IuwKt05qszyZhmO9wGSgn8_lQIAlvYq4SNld_ZD3eCasVtK0xfx-ebEmGw94u5b7T4Sgbzk1bSrcTmEMWXfoZDbAKXEQQEruXL36wU5NyoHRMliTBI2cQhos4mTJHri9OynZnVil4UunldXhCkCNlc/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_113932038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragoons dash forwards, but have gone too soon... still the Prussians have to rapidly form square. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XbxdVE16ViT_8170Hb2u1NPg7tcB3oeIbIEIA-uvvU7JLGZ_8ZNXZUAO709-ZMCMLs1SDwZpTjvM77dcMs4PdZHsrzQcN6gMokKjIYjNXsB-p6RH23GHE0NME29YbbPowLbnpB_Asu_OSV2-RIqaofjT9BnOpMcZzplwp8HFJyipqqg1W7LTRIofFz2_/s624/IMG_20231221_110048568.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XbxdVE16ViT_8170Hb2u1NPg7tcB3oeIbIEIA-uvvU7JLGZ_8ZNXZUAO709-ZMCMLs1SDwZpTjvM77dcMs4PdZHsrzQcN6gMokKjIYjNXsB-p6RH23GHE0NME29YbbPowLbnpB_Asu_OSV2-RIqaofjT9BnOpMcZzplwp8HFJyipqqg1W7LTRIofFz2_/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_110048568.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at Neutz, and the Wurttembergers aren't coming... ah well, brew up then! Their guns have been limbered up and dragged forward to get into range and join in as they can. They then did a lot of missing... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9krreHXGJjA2kj5nEcEapMPYY7fcNY3AWxFycJGo-nxD948bWNIYTD7L1mL2qIRK-W_vZXfNcEjg3-crQa4ZeT1HGwlksttIzX-2MNNlQ2IMzpx7Yp0NATK2-SBNezbxhn2_eLgUB8kwfY6KmIRBCDYcQL34dfSWUJNRgmNe83zrrSzmJMFrXGwuWJfL/s624/IMG_20231221_110028673.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9krreHXGJjA2kj5nEcEapMPYY7fcNY3AWxFycJGo-nxD948bWNIYTD7L1mL2qIRK-W_vZXfNcEjg3-crQa4ZeT1HGwlksttIzX-2MNNlQ2IMzpx7Yp0NATK2-SBNezbxhn2_eLgUB8kwfY6KmIRBCDYcQL34dfSWUJNRgmNe83zrrSzmJMFrXGwuWJfL/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_110028673.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glorious 19th Leger move up in the centre, lots of good skirmishers deployed by both sides. Withering volleys from the fusiliers would see my line driven back. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YCBqcjJy6EZnT-l97sV3gFtrIddTmMFRW6-oWW6Wso1SaZ6tFYhEIpObr-J0PydhTtuvcnLQyBb_skxfsQwdI2r0iLUwaatP4fp25Dqz9rMO3jT3RkFJGmoQ-MUtHyo-PVcHVR7FG6CFQxezqXv1yN5D7cAaoABB5uky3ox7GVfuXKieFcdA1twmBuQf/s624/IMG_20231221_102402684.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YCBqcjJy6EZnT-l97sV3gFtrIddTmMFRW6-oWW6Wso1SaZ6tFYhEIpObr-J0PydhTtuvcnLQyBb_skxfsQwdI2r0iLUwaatP4fp25Dqz9rMO3jT3RkFJGmoQ-MUtHyo-PVcHVR7FG6CFQxezqXv1yN5D7cAaoABB5uky3ox7GVfuXKieFcdA1twmBuQf/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_102402684.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussia infantry on their left, facing the dragoons. Form square then... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg8toshSwxN8v21-D2WjE9QKp6YjSlAdy4MkErfRrBVBt1O21V9HEch1Omikle_XKO9yY_NozTCgIB6CPeH3GLpWuTbiAmTZBAfrwvOYCfBvzSrApEPbx0h6l4yB2bjnsuBMaZtDA8EIPY7iBiuaH0g5qId7qZ6MTF6GI6v164BGmjjgbZ2OqLkyzli8J/s624/IMG_20231221_113939901.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg8toshSwxN8v21-D2WjE9QKp6YjSlAdy4MkErfRrBVBt1O21V9HEch1Omikle_XKO9yY_NozTCgIB6CPeH3GLpWuTbiAmTZBAfrwvOYCfBvzSrApEPbx0h6l4yB2bjnsuBMaZtDA8EIPY7iBiuaH0g5qId7qZ6MTF6GI6v164BGmjjgbZ2OqLkyzli8J/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_113939901.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian grenadier columns come forward in a bold attack into the musketry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdc0W8SrLmW2ObGK901XLnr_wcshW-1P424bCuksMHzsjrCgYKCcnBGyhYz28-UR0U1BqQaejjP9hR5Lc59g81Vv01dTkvjs8_MBeqaVq0_PC0lQF8PJWJBExoJ1A-ZqhFL1VaRTFgtBgd1LXbdbwydwt4AmIT7CjhEXLCE-q4VHNkUEBCz-682YpNSuf/s624/IMG_20231221_121911968.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdc0W8SrLmW2ObGK901XLnr_wcshW-1P424bCuksMHzsjrCgYKCcnBGyhYz28-UR0U1BqQaejjP9hR5Lc59g81Vv01dTkvjs8_MBeqaVq0_PC0lQF8PJWJBExoJ1A-ZqhFL1VaRTFgtBgd1LXbdbwydwt4AmIT7CjhEXLCE-q4VHNkUEBCz-682YpNSuf/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_121911968.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Tallec's light cavalry, arriving at last, speeding up at the gallop in columns of march. Chasseurs, Wurttemberg chevau-leger and Hussars. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmkUFyy-ePHWZEqsc-tXJcS1OLGLzLORXqRt_QIqr5l0uhbRh8LSLnrZsmfsiXNnqjrvuCQRN-BAqAYvxv60ano_YRWZbu64qQQ3dM3Y5P2SdrFGCjk62mKWciuyBGT_p2ognU5pOppdxnDbajKJyXzQBm4hyphenhyphenja2ZVnz8eIMSGNiwAiwU90049eFzjVgt/s624/IMG_20231221_131858911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmkUFyy-ePHWZEqsc-tXJcS1OLGLzLORXqRt_QIqr5l0uhbRh8LSLnrZsmfsiXNnqjrvuCQRN-BAqAYvxv60ano_YRWZbu64qQQ3dM3Y5P2SdrFGCjk62mKWciuyBGT_p2ognU5pOppdxnDbajKJyXzQBm4hyphenhyphenja2ZVnz8eIMSGNiwAiwU90049eFzjVgt/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_131858911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developing the main cavalry attack, the far dragoon regiment is stalled and taking a pounding. The other has pulled back with heavy losses (down to 2 stands). Not what the plan required, but it is still enough cavalry to complete the grand assault objective. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooQdnaPtSuW8qXgXtSyCpqLnXSPhreeQINifUDYIfRs7-mcYWUBDWRCsN6dDeBXvaTZxgI80pkvzbQ3qWXDovKYRX8m4orjMFdbn3bxutmuAUM49eQYQe4xxNoSlEqwVZ817fLM_5V4VEvJoELqZnO6umyglj6J6VeaZEO85VvF55N76mkD0bZSlE4-SJ/s624/IMG_20231221_141515041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooQdnaPtSuW8qXgXtSyCpqLnXSPhreeQINifUDYIfRs7-mcYWUBDWRCsN6dDeBXvaTZxgI80pkvzbQ3qWXDovKYRX8m4orjMFdbn3bxutmuAUM49eQYQe4xxNoSlEqwVZ817fLM_5V4VEvJoELqZnO6umyglj6J6VeaZEO85VvF55N76mkD0bZSlE4-SJ/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_141515041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaos of the attack, the 4th Hussars have fought their way up, to end up in front of a Prussia battery loading grapeshot... a lot of disordered cavalry trying to get back into good order (and failing). Those uhlan have already been beaten once. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-67909678405097844242023-12-05T02:11:00.000-08:002023-12-05T02:11:22.968-08:00Prussia Rising, campaign game 2 - The Bridge at Dannigkow<p>Game 2, and this time it was set-up as part of the historical Battle of Mockern, with the Prussians advancing on Madgeburg and French holding the line of the Elhe river (stream) and bridges across it at various villages. The actual battle was the various Prussia attacks on these villages, so our game would be one of them, at Dannigkow, where von Fuch’s division had been given the duty of making the first morning assault against Houlier’s division holding the bridge at Dannigkow. It’s a mash-up of history and our own narrative, but as a game of Soldiers of Napoleon is supposed to recreate part of a larger battle, it seemed it make sense to be part of Mockern. In this campaign, sometimes it’s fictional, sometimes it’s a fictional part of a real battle. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaLKR7G0lS98M3uHRx4D1nOsrJHT4OxkQGhistyAK4cRE4nrf_RNBzjpK12CvGqUyNg5wHYhVVJfrmEar1J9odEfHGkdI67N6rSNZr5i4l1qm70p4cT7Kbigy9j6yfK2jP-irff3sCwlUczhb_VUni0UUpqORVapfEDipVauZFnCJcvYsNDpFxToF9CwY/s510/2.Danningkow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaLKR7G0lS98M3uHRx4D1nOsrJHT4OxkQGhistyAK4cRE4nrf_RNBzjpK12CvGqUyNg5wHYhVVJfrmEar1J9odEfHGkdI67N6rSNZr5i4l1qm70p4cT7Kbigy9j6yfK2jP-irff3sCwlUczhb_VUni0UUpqORVapfEDipVauZFnCJcvYsNDpFxToF9CwY/w400-h266/2.Danningkow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's battlefield, French on the left, Prussians from the right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This would then be the first few hours of the day's assaults at Dannigkow. The French would defend and rolled to dig-in with 20” of earthworks to hide behind (in the centre for the Wurttemberg infantry to hold). On their right, holding the farm area would be Cherou’s infantry brigade, whilst on their left would be light cavalry, attached for the day, 10th Chasseurs and 4th Hussars, supported by a single gun horse battery of a 5.5” howitzer (lurking at the back for harassing fire). This is how the French deployed, right flank forwards to hold the farm buildings, Wurttembergers behind the earthwork holding the bridge itself and light cavalry behind the river (more marshy stream) on the left. They’d have to wade over that. <br /><br />The Prussian division would be their advanced guard out front screening, with behind them on their left Lutzow’s Freikorp, to attack along the road and the farm area, and behind on the right, their own light cavalry brigade of 2 uhlan regiments. So the cavalry had lined up to meet.<br /><br />My defensive plan was one I’m not that used to, I not usually a fan of just sitting back and waiting (I generally like to get stuck in, we came to fight right?), but the Wurttemberg infantry would just hold fast. The French light infantry could move up and secure that farm, with the 1st battalion veterans occupying the buildings and their other battalions supporting. 2nd battalion would screen in front in extended line, and all battalions would deploy skirmishers to make a thicker screen as well. The landwehr of the Freikorp would, most likely, find it hard work against good French voltiguers, but, they did have their own cavalry support (more landwehr lancers) and Prussian fusiliers screening them too, so it was well supported attack and could drive off my skirmishers. My lines looked solid, the Prussian assault would need to be heavy, ferocious and sustained to push me out (i.e. a bloodbath). The risk, as I saw it, was on the left, losing that flank, light cavalry vs light cavalry, would be the most likely way to lose this fight. That needed to be a stalemate, a draw here and win in the attrition with the well dug-in infantry was my plan. Key to this would be my hussar regiment, whilst they fought, the left flank was OK, lose them, and well, the weak chasseur regiment would be in trouble and most likely I’d lose the brigade, the flank, and with it then the battle. <br /><br />Deployment complete, the Prussians started off by rolling for a Special Circumstance (an optional part of the rules that throws an oddity into the mix, but we like to use them). It had been raining a lot, the ground was muddy, so -1 to all movement distances. That didn’t help the Prussians much, a slog through the quagmire. They would make a Steady Advance (something of a surprise), but pressing an assault with militia quality infantry is tough and so a 'Grand Assault' looks more like a hinderance rather than a aid. Mind you, their many (4) lance-armed cavalry regiments could do it. Nothing stopping them taking the objective card if (when) it comes up. <br /><br />So, to turn 1, and the Prussians got moving up, screening fusiliers, their horse battery, and the uhlan on the right at the gallop to speed up and start to pressure my cavalry, which responded by wading the marshes and stream to at least be on the right side of the river (go forward to make space to come back into). Here, we eyed each other in a wary stand-off. Who would risk it first? (not me). The French lines deployed skirmishers, lots of them as the first line of defence, so we get some harassing damage done, and the guns exchanged fire at long ranges, to not much effect (Prussian guns being towed up). As yet, my howitzer was out of range. <br /><br />The cagey start continued, neither side doing anything radical. Just getting units into place. Skirmish fire, cannons boom, some intimidation from those uhlan against my cavalry (they all have long pointy sticks, why don’t we get long pointy sticks?). His horse battery came up behind his uhlan and deployed, and opened fire, to the swift response of my waiting howitzer, which hit! This single gun would continue its counter-battery work each turn and, for the rest of the game, barely missed, they just kept dropping in shells on those Prussian 6 pdrs and had the crews cowering… need to roll a 5+? This gun crew and their bombardier rolls it! Do not under-rate the howitzer lob-shot… <br /><br />Turn 3, and things heated up a bit. Lutzow’s men started to march up the road, splashing through the puddles. The assault was coming, but accurate French gunnery scored some 8 pdr hits. Skirmish fire added more damage as the fusiliers duelled with the light infantry in front of the farm buildings. His uhlan moved up again, eyeing my chasseurs, but got into skirmish fire range of the Wurttemberg screen which open a withering fire on them, light infantry, jaegers and line infantry all scoring hits and turning the cavalry’s line into disorder, to retreat and rally, ouch! My chasseurs breathed a sigh of relief not facing the lancer’s charge this turn. The other uhlan did charge though, my hussars, who responded with elan and met them halfway. The first clash saw the lancers win it, just, by 1 point, so my hussars pulled back, rallied and got back into good order almost like it never happened. Then, disaster for the Prussian cavalry, more hits from Wurttemberg cannon fire meant his ragged uhlan would need to rally again, but they lost both their last cards (saved for that rally) to a ‘command confusion’ special event… in the confusion one uhlan regiment thought that had the order to retire and so quit the field… first broken unit and the worrying pressure on my left relieved. My hussar could deal with one uhlan regiment (without their lance bonus now). Confidence was high within the 4th Hussars… which was a mistake… because more uhlan arrived from the advance guard to replace those lost. The only saving grace, they were a long way from their command stand now, so would need many orders to actually use. Still, if they saw the chance, they'd be after my poor chasseurs. The Prussians had learnt not to get into range of the Wurttemberg skirmishing horde though… that just invited a torrent of musket and jaeger rifle fire. <br /><br />Initial fencing over, time for lunch, a long chat about ‘Napoleon’ the movie (nothing good though) and a brew. The French were ahead on VPs. <br /><br />Part two, and the battle heated up. The Prussian assault, stalled and flagging at the farm, their own skirmishers not making much of a dent, got busy and the advanced guards grenadiers launched their own rapid assault, coming on at the double. This is what grenadiers do, and they quickly through themselves into a charge and routed the light infantry line ahead of them, then followed up with another charge which meant the light infantry disorder was now a gory massacre, they had to rally, loose all their stands and be wiped out to save the extra VPs. Cannon fire and skirmish fire made the grenadiers pay in blood for that boldness though. On my far left the hussars charged, and a second melee with the uhlan was a win, but again, not by much. They drove the uhlan back, but also needed to rally. Howitzer lob-fire again hit the Prussian gunners… who were relaying their guns more than they were firing. Unerring accuracy. Then, on the final card of the turn, the uhlan used intimidate on my hussars, who shouldn’t be too bothered by such (good discipline), except they rolled terribly, took 2 disruption and broke! Obviously, they figured they had done their job for today, honour was served, and withdrew… oh no, disaster, the flank was left with one weak chasseur regiment to face down 2 full strength uhlan regiments… big trouble. Plus, a lot of VPs went to the Prussians, suddenly they were ahead and the French close to quitting the field. My fear had come true… damn my hussars, why are they always so bad? <br /><br />So, on we went, with urgent action needed by my forces. Lucky, the Prussian commanders failed two ‘at risk’ tests and thus were 2 cards down this turn, my saving grace, the Prussians would struggle to capitalise on their break. <br /><br />Their attack on the farm was still stuck, taking damage and not getting forwards, the next to try, the Freikorps’ landwehr cavalry, took artillery fire and then a militia panic card, which left them in disorder. The grenadiers pulled back, rallied and lost half their stands from their bold solo assault, so now lacked the strength to take the farm buildings. Lutzow’s attack had been stopped. The farm would not fall. Meanwhile, the cavalry had stalled too, needing to rally, and skirmish fire, ferocious from the Wurttembergers, kept on regiment at bay. Their cannon’s counter-battery fire also found it mark, as did the howitzer fire – again… and suddenly two Prussian batteries were in danger of breaking. Both could not be rallied, and when one battery failed to relay their guns, they were lost. The rally also disastrously failed, and both batteries broke in the same turn. In the End Phase, the cost of this loss was added up, and the French could also claim their ‘Hold the Line’ objective too, the total pushed the Prussians to their breakpoint. They had to pull back, the first assault on the bridge had failed. My French had 4 VPs still left, so close (mainly due to the damn 4th Hussars quitting on me), a marginal French win in game two. It is now 3 -2 Prussia in campaign VPs. </p><p></p><p>A hard struggle, but the French infantry positions were very tough for the Prussians, not aided by little things going against them, like the ground conditions. Their best chance was to press the cavalry attack harder, but that was only really seen as a demonstration attack to pin my cavalry and deny them freedom of action. Also, their light cavalry needed to do far more work in driving in skirmishers. Ignoring them was costly, but its the kind of tactic that can’t be done casually, you need to really keep at it, keep sending them back. 1 uhlan regiment dedicate to this task could have cleared the way for the other two to attack hard and get through on the Prussia right - easier in hindsight. This all came up in post-game debrief… lessons learnt, but always fun game. I might have held the bridge at Dannigkow for a morning, but the French would still lose the battle of Mockern and give-up defending Magdeburg. So, we march away south, to join Napoleon’s main army and game 3, somewhere near the Saale river. <br /><br />Pics of the action at Dannigkow. <br /></p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYBI9p1kytbwtSgNF8H-Lv2bCcX3KKZ9m4Eq3-ponzfy7IHGVkBIJkqqodfVP6IkqPdmFz4TwgC_LuJDg4xS1zope8OUrMty0xsx1uHM_2eCl_XeNic8JjyisA3LatDQATVmgehXaGTfVnfuW2T7Nom9_YWWbAiitSOM4Slc3tSIFXz7uacZPk1y9PBGs/s624/IMG_20231202_113327693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYBI9p1kytbwtSgNF8H-Lv2bCcX3KKZ9m4Eq3-ponzfy7IHGVkBIJkqqodfVP6IkqPdmFz4TwgC_LuJDg4xS1zope8OUrMty0xsx1uHM_2eCl_XeNic8JjyisA3LatDQATVmgehXaGTfVnfuW2T7Nom9_YWWbAiitSOM4Slc3tSIFXz7uacZPk1y9PBGs/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113327693.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian light cavalry brigade deploy on their right. Probably the key to victory here.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMtXg7Zd-vxK1PKBgI2tQ0cPYwkNo3MFLTDrG9sre9wx6iYmzK52-kgjlRJpAKHkjTQoXfGTn_TDQEEEk3m4MPpg_j4dLMblU6lSbzS8wharPFqfH3Ptb7HVCahCyBlFjBXf8cGaw8Sv9XkRPldeObq4pl7FCVOcxGIk3CLTxEuO0gj1J-5F5Gldmcj3b/s624/IMG_20231202_113346777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMtXg7Zd-vxK1PKBgI2tQ0cPYwkNo3MFLTDrG9sre9wx6iYmzK52-kgjlRJpAKHkjTQoXfGTn_TDQEEEk3m4MPpg_j4dLMblU6lSbzS8wharPFqfH3Ptb7HVCahCyBlFjBXf8cGaw8Sv9XkRPldeObq4pl7FCVOcxGIk3CLTxEuO0gj1J-5F5Gldmcj3b/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113346777.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advanced guard fusiliers screen in the centre and over to the left. Behind are their own attached uhlan. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqbc7jIim-ZISEjJjVCx35qd9UqeKV2TdDdpRtuQf9al4FxDNMKH2ZiHS8vV9vy-YCOXcXgR6trDLHum6xwUcnVjE_nLRbOvcCGBN0U8_ZjzL5vyKRoLlxVynQ39xDZsmLEUHqtV8y44QIk-EWEcwvalLY1CSWT4ze3ZKeLO5K0DyVA0G3Zx6SqlM9j6x/s624/IMG_20231202_113413805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqbc7jIim-ZISEjJjVCx35qd9UqeKV2TdDdpRtuQf9al4FxDNMKH2ZiHS8vV9vy-YCOXcXgR6trDLHum6xwUcnVjE_nLRbOvcCGBN0U8_ZjzL5vyKRoLlxVynQ39xDZsmLEUHqtV8y44QIk-EWEcwvalLY1CSWT4ze3ZKeLO5K0DyVA0G3Zx6SqlM9j6x/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113413805.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lutzow's Freikorp, in marching columns for the first advance on the farm and bridge. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1keJmCHwBvPXHwqxoeGk8ShuIi80712LirmP5zcpMb_XTFmN2OLp9zyHIt239oeGzu4INuC3arnIwl0eBfryrPQ-tCZyDIupZakmOh3Dsah1vMHwsEc9_QVIJ9kxUV5INQYqfO9V_qiO96LZ3UB45uo2EjRYvZ9YxApzbqKem6psEUZmQI2VkSOc0pzSy/s624/IMG_20231202_113420889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1keJmCHwBvPXHwqxoeGk8ShuIi80712LirmP5zcpMb_XTFmN2OLp9zyHIt239oeGzu4INuC3arnIwl0eBfryrPQ-tCZyDIupZakmOh3Dsah1vMHwsEc9_QVIJ9kxUV5INQYqfO9V_qiO96LZ3UB45uo2EjRYvZ9YxApzbqKem6psEUZmQI2VkSOc0pzSy/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113420889.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19th Leger occupying the farm, 2nd battalion to push through and screen in front in extended line. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pTHsOe-_rcTmbo1hOvV_jgf-wJcsoiv-NT0JkBrHBirjPsXjldkLbsbW2UoiAiQ2NE6e88kk_XonRzeIuX4hO8prkRqJ3YPCUw5cz-43l6fTAA0h8yhwHVoIEiJkUGg_CAmsMarAnvlt1XkOLk1jBuwmsWMPuQPcnwxpr-9tSuzEbjeScVOAC5z6h0xR/s624/IMG_20231202_113425951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pTHsOe-_rcTmbo1hOvV_jgf-wJcsoiv-NT0JkBrHBirjPsXjldkLbsbW2UoiAiQ2NE6e88kk_XonRzeIuX4hO8prkRqJ3YPCUw5cz-43l6fTAA0h8yhwHVoIEiJkUGg_CAmsMarAnvlt1XkOLk1jBuwmsWMPuQPcnwxpr-9tSuzEbjeScVOAC5z6h0xR/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113425951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherou's brigade behind the farm, much of this is reserve infantry, kept out of the line of fire. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YxtlFPDCzFlILalaIAdPHmgeQ9u3i2lLiPnCoj-qBb9GFqEMkpoVYHj4tsgcKCZY907pMixMpo3oTvxr-GL72_eHOd1-LJ4NW-DW5vsx9yQFpi3k7YEooM5Pyvp-3Y5TJSpdcFZzxgZRUmd-H9V5MsgApL7AbJlpgraPSdOoZSpb0kFWCAQ1ACKWNEUW/s624/IMG_20231202_113434707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YxtlFPDCzFlILalaIAdPHmgeQ9u3i2lLiPnCoj-qBb9GFqEMkpoVYHj4tsgcKCZY907pMixMpo3oTvxr-GL72_eHOd1-LJ4NW-DW5vsx9yQFpi3k7YEooM5Pyvp-3Y5TJSpdcFZzxgZRUmd-H9V5MsgApL7AbJlpgraPSdOoZSpb0kFWCAQ1ACKWNEUW/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113434707.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg's wall in the centre. 2 battalions up, 2 back, ready to replace them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyYeSjehsL7H4ytoxMW1MLd1K3lMLhrx8Pd5Wd9rMwX0hoBzSagKGUOHV1JA7bi3ojRIkLp2fuQsnJmve4rxgW5yRt7dMGxr8jK-NGqDgcgTKKm_eX5r85-Cq_e-shh1AIf_H0DrY0QYUoPn1RTkiIURCAcie3I0ATMAYCmskZzCKfVT71zG1K6_bBJ7d/s624/IMG_20231202_113500420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyYeSjehsL7H4ytoxMW1MLd1K3lMLhrx8Pd5Wd9rMwX0hoBzSagKGUOHV1JA7bi3ojRIkLp2fuQsnJmve4rxgW5yRt7dMGxr8jK-NGqDgcgTKKm_eX5r85-Cq_e-shh1AIf_H0DrY0QYUoPn1RTkiIURCAcie3I0ATMAYCmskZzCKfVT71zG1K6_bBJ7d/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113500420.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Tallec's light cavalry, 4th Hussars, 10th Chasseurs and a howitzer. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKbTD1v2Hs2SCEo90VVApVJGPNGpL7F1EK2MwwS57j4QLj4UO2NmMyI8B9qHgKO0c1fHb5YM1v2V42UuvnaFFq6h0O3h7i7mcZ87N6O3BmCZEQy6BRAKs-L4IGxL512cHX2McYElbN5uelDyzXO-dqggMPQ5CnWcetjLAB6AqAU6dq5EtSpIp1Y2FvvEv/s624/IMG_20231202_113508726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKbTD1v2Hs2SCEo90VVApVJGPNGpL7F1EK2MwwS57j4QLj4UO2NmMyI8B9qHgKO0c1fHb5YM1v2V42UuvnaFFq6h0O3h7i7mcZ87N6O3BmCZEQy6BRAKs-L4IGxL512cHX2McYElbN5uelDyzXO-dqggMPQ5CnWcetjLAB6AqAU6dq5EtSpIp1Y2FvvEv/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_113508726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wurttemberg light infantry, excellent, with the jaegers attached. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9gZ04ZsbyWI9edOBdESvovA_p6paEdrlu9wc-LlJqhSVdMQQcORvHQ_k2QgjTeT_05fd-xKIqElpTmgGzog5MhmyXN86V1jqlaWF4W7TLnz44OAMf7OJXyonZIvmWWCsiIVibEgDPu4T_Of_k4UU8G4gHGvGP4jKu1ZkrYmXEPIXjjSUpSxfeMRTD2Nr/s624/IMG_20231202_121133217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9gZ04ZsbyWI9edOBdESvovA_p6paEdrlu9wc-LlJqhSVdMQQcORvHQ_k2QgjTeT_05fd-xKIqElpTmgGzog5MhmyXN86V1jqlaWF4W7TLnz44OAMf7OJXyonZIvmWWCsiIVibEgDPu4T_Of_k4UU8G4gHGvGP4jKu1ZkrYmXEPIXjjSUpSxfeMRTD2Nr/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_121133217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st battalion move up to occupy the farm, as 2nd battalion move ahead of them. Veterans in good cover will be a hard to shift. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIAmiWDXct191vZuy0EUhDIU_5Dm6W8FCDFDNByur1_YKNvCw-uKC_lMRKnHUveuNx1G_ETG1Ir_9vA46V4msC1u_fywEqBve0LNYyabfXFCDpwADl-MRisISkX6NmOj_HpuBY1HMbE3z_HW3dCfYyujlJZ0-2x9vZ2kHXYAic8ziAq_zT0R2zn_Xv1H-/s624/IMG_20231202_121154772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIAmiWDXct191vZuy0EUhDIU_5Dm6W8FCDFDNByur1_YKNvCw-uKC_lMRKnHUveuNx1G_ETG1Ir_9vA46V4msC1u_fywEqBve0LNYyabfXFCDpwADl-MRisISkX6NmOj_HpuBY1HMbE3z_HW3dCfYyujlJZ0-2x9vZ2kHXYAic8ziAq_zT0R2zn_Xv1H-/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_121154772.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stand-off between the light cavalry, but the uhlans are being badly shot up by Wurttemberg skirmishers. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl86bvUjMzF116vXOu54flYJbWgVUR-Ua4K0YiTu63y2N2iV6J978HeFJQlrz9LHPYRQi8uXHWP2MVvl9VohwLKBmtPdX1YkTEOQAZeovscWKdKefl2H2RJ-y6S51diB49t2XWAtnyI2Q1kWXfVMaSWQUrvAl54Je4I73g4HCSHkWMfY6EW_Mi2Enah1j/s624/IMG_20231202_125956704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl86bvUjMzF116vXOu54flYJbWgVUR-Ua4K0YiTu63y2N2iV6J978HeFJQlrz9LHPYRQi8uXHWP2MVvl9VohwLKBmtPdX1YkTEOQAZeovscWKdKefl2H2RJ-y6S51diB49t2XWAtnyI2Q1kWXfVMaSWQUrvAl54Je4I73g4HCSHkWMfY6EW_Mi2Enah1j/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_125956704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First cavalry clash, lancers win it, but only by 1 point. The hussars will fallback and quickly rally well. Lance impact sting is drawn. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmLWYyXliw7cDgXRRDyJiImS53lcrjBrGbyg00gSJLy5C3OUgwUFoIJsl-BkFiJ9sSKkTptStwQlFJyX_3TQ0AtPN1OUPzWRYIzzDnxn77uOWAMzvFFOBpDLlceX34i_Ye82e2bXevFr_XPYjO_RmFXzUETwgOM0QIeK2oAmkOIOGWYkmEgipOltN7Rm8/s624/IMG_20231202_135745671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmLWYyXliw7cDgXRRDyJiImS53lcrjBrGbyg00gSJLy5C3OUgwUFoIJsl-BkFiJ9sSKkTptStwQlFJyX_3TQ0AtPN1OUPzWRYIzzDnxn77uOWAMzvFFOBpDLlceX34i_Ye82e2bXevFr_XPYjO_RmFXzUETwgOM0QIeK2oAmkOIOGWYkmEgipOltN7Rm8/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_135745671.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg skirmish line, out front, doing damage. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmXIZlwqXyk_q4NC0abMNO5XvJjNYgJdpzXYEu-9aiSj1RcZN_ORmJDzX807zJ6qNyrqPkQhakcqGi0-ZdRPyv-BYXv9MjLj8uzSX0zygOxkPdYl-rZW6Tdl_VuRu3ZDcNums1hw28jaMHMFwd7EZE_Y3NrY_lnfoeNrZOYgox-qRUcn8ba7iLyLL_n9e/s624/IMG_20231202_142750433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmXIZlwqXyk_q4NC0abMNO5XvJjNYgJdpzXYEu-9aiSj1RcZN_ORmJDzX807zJ6qNyrqPkQhakcqGi0-ZdRPyv-BYXv9MjLj8uzSX0zygOxkPdYl-rZW6Tdl_VuRu3ZDcNums1hw28jaMHMFwd7EZE_Y3NrY_lnfoeNrZOYgox-qRUcn8ba7iLyLL_n9e/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_142750433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The advanced guard grenadiers storm towards the farm, through shot and shell. Grenadiers lead the way, quiet right. But it is costly. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6S2R80JlfJZUt57WBuUR-0dNK7mns-xhtd2DRuVtzO49AuwFHdjTS8OgZfjVPnA4KufuEELDG-WWDmFHz5Zy2uKqcrEBwFWrqpxlUBv8TpeU-aIb3nI2L8QBprBl97QVfP-aaKNZ1Vvehn9YVx1KTnPHYRpnWuaBhhXa5SH7vcrUCJDQa7Yr3t-Yn6IB/s624/IMG_20231202_121206579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6S2R80JlfJZUt57WBuUR-0dNK7mns-xhtd2DRuVtzO49AuwFHdjTS8OgZfjVPnA4KufuEELDG-WWDmFHz5Zy2uKqcrEBwFWrqpxlUBv8TpeU-aIb3nI2L8QBprBl97QVfP-aaKNZ1Vvehn9YVx1KTnPHYRpnWuaBhhXa5SH7vcrUCJDQa7Yr3t-Yn6IB/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_121206579.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uhlan are called up to aid on the right. Long way from the command stand though. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22lPrhePWCTCRdy-bpqVn5wKSAgFRiyhhNgGazBTB17Dfd6A26iQpt7Om6oNW-uZuuFNKJVEO6myYWhq9G3VMd5ADRtmumAwTgk-7a6n2-8-uj73KgFS7cnKDUFuyHqlzS3wIceLCQAK2pZEQ3JDzS4VbJ2gkGCWXkRNiAgAiaaCNRYX1kH_ebD5WhhjA/s624/IMG_20231202_154741750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22lPrhePWCTCRdy-bpqVn5wKSAgFRiyhhNgGazBTB17Dfd6A26iQpt7Om6oNW-uZuuFNKJVEO6myYWhq9G3VMd5ADRtmumAwTgk-7a6n2-8-uj73KgFS7cnKDUFuyHqlzS3wIceLCQAK2pZEQ3JDzS4VbJ2gkGCWXkRNiAgAiaaCNRYX1kH_ebD5WhhjA/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_154741750.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landwehr cavalry come forward and form an attack column, but heavy artillery fire (lots of hits) and then a 'militia panic' (under that fire), puts them quickly into disorder and needing to rally. Ahead, the fusilier skirmish line is not making much impact. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsPpJjxSvNcIi8Vu8NNkXAitQF_nKK8stI0GDg41kDikL6J0xI733rzA408GazP__2EFu58vK1RAlQsL3iCLxKrftWszIq6YXNp6IeheL-IXA_vb0ypsCuzN5QXCn-7sBhxWZwKN0JR6Nz1OI0QvkD8qE9fLtSIKjoVlWo1bGGBOaxhNU5yQeCY5Zl1_k/s624/IMG_20231202_154750610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsPpJjxSvNcIi8Vu8NNkXAitQF_nKK8stI0GDg41kDikL6J0xI733rzA408GazP__2EFu58vK1RAlQsL3iCLxKrftWszIq6YXNp6IeheL-IXA_vb0ypsCuzN5QXCn-7sBhxWZwKN0JR6Nz1OI0QvkD8qE9fLtSIKjoVlWo1bGGBOaxhNU5yQeCY5Zl1_k/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_154750610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherou's battery of 8 pdrs hammer anything that come up the road. The infantry hold back to counter-attack if needed, and cover the guns. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrUHmrvxeNv6oaHA_upYuGZei60ZGjWStbmh8T49EuklIVUcBPvI3taesHxWW1wj5jkylOdohCWSda0Xy9MDTBOZ2m5V30-8SJsnliiF64UOuhdyfVqkSQnF6dSN0IfRlbMoMPtzJpKGfeAuJJj2WmdczQHPgEf1wOPZlb-28o3u1X4JL8Asw7-Oubt_6/s624/IMG_20231202_154806739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrUHmrvxeNv6oaHA_upYuGZei60ZGjWStbmh8T49EuklIVUcBPvI3taesHxWW1wj5jkylOdohCWSda0Xy9MDTBOZ2m5V30-8SJsnliiF64UOuhdyfVqkSQnF6dSN0IfRlbMoMPtzJpKGfeAuJJj2WmdczQHPgEf1wOPZlb-28o3u1X4JL8Asw7-Oubt_6/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_154806739.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian uhlans get a fresh regiment to replace the one lost. Same problem with the skirmishers. They need to use harry and harass to chase them off. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6xwmM29Lvy1tqJSKW0SV02rYuqXtnJtAZTomZojjL1etQMzTaUiLe5PRQxB71K3L7bFkWe6ruppzmGX9k7ygsGhABfvgtmAW4UgQdz2Y34ToDfzuaXeFEQmrGfLh5fN5zNxNQQmM3-ywZQXPLBMNpkOAXiJ5o1Cqf8ZActiPm4QY1N16uNb78M0ei9X0/s624/IMG_20231202_154822329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6xwmM29Lvy1tqJSKW0SV02rYuqXtnJtAZTomZojjL1etQMzTaUiLe5PRQxB71K3L7bFkWe6ruppzmGX9k7ygsGhABfvgtmAW4UgQdz2Y34ToDfzuaXeFEQmrGfLh5fN5zNxNQQmM3-ywZQXPLBMNpkOAXiJ5o1Cqf8ZActiPm4QY1N16uNb78M0ei9X0/w400-h300/IMG_20231202_154822329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man of match today, the howitzer that can't miss, good work from their bombardier. They broke the Prussian horse battery... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><i>Note: It's worth mentioning here, the deciding factor here was the objective, it was just enough VPs to break the attack. Without it, we have another turn and Prussians are still in with a good chance. Using objectives makes a big difference. </i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-58559776774443648962023-11-20T08:04:00.000-08:002023-11-20T08:04:54.520-08:00Prussia Rising, a Soldiers of Napoleon campaign - Game 1 - Attack at Dollenkirche, 1813<p>It’s been a long haul readying my Napoleonic French army for battle, but, after 15 months of work, they are ready to hit the tabletop and their first outing will be in a new ‘March On’ (the campaign system) campaign for SoN (found in the 'Wars of the First Empire' supplement). Their opposition will be my friend’s also brand new Prussian army. Not a single model in this tabletop had even seen action before… which is very cool. Two new armies will duke it out in our campaign’s series, which I’m titling ‘Prussia Rising’… 1813, and the French are in trouble and fighting it out in southern Germany with the advancing Prussia/Russia alliance (Austrians haven’t joined in yet, than might come later). <br /><br />So, starting in spring 1813, early April and the Prussian advance against Madgeburg sees my division, under ‘Old Boot’ General Houlier (a robust commander of note), part of Prince Eugene’s army on the Elbe. His first mission, to launch a probing, spoiling attack against the Prussian advance, to stall them. They will encounter the Prussian screen, sent to hold them, at the village and large church of Dollenkirche.<br /><br />Both players had selected their divisions for the campaign, to which extra forces are then added for the individual battles. Houlier’s division is two infantry brigades. The first, under General Cherou, is all French infantry, 6 battalions of the 19th Leger and 78th Ligne, a mix of veterans (1st Battalion, 19th Leger), Line and Reserve infantry, and their 8 pdr guns, with full caissons. The second brigade, under General von Ziegle, are my Wurttembergers (the 'reluctant allies' rules is in play in 1813 for Germans). This is 4 battalions, 1 light and 3 reservists line units, with attached jaeger riflemen and their own 6 pdr guns. Added to this, for Dollenkirche, was single light cavalry regiment from Le Tallec’s brigade, part of the 10th Chasseurs, the only cavalry support I have and a very weak brigade, not getting them wiped out would be a challenge.<br /><br />The Prussian division, under General Arnim Ritter von Fuchs (a stalwart general accompanied by a security escort of 2 hussar stands), was a very strong Advanced Guard brigade, with 3(?) fusilier battalions, a grenadier battalion, uhlan lancers and their own horse battery. This was strong, and the main fighting force of the Prussian army. It was supported by a much weaker Freikorps, of reservist infantry, a light militia horse regiment, attached riflemen and their own battery of 6 pdr guns. The Prussian added a third brigade for this battle, also of light cavalry, which was a single reserve uhlan regiment and an attached howitzer, to lurk at the back and harass with lob fire occasionally. <br /><br />Forces ready, the terrain was randomly generated. From the book we got a small hillock, a small wood, a large building (the church) and paddock (the cemetery), a hill and a village of 2 buildings, and after rolling and adding in some roads, it all looked like this. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyNC14DPXl8pF4EeaDVKQR3QgLA87gckm_9UcPw7gJHNCkMG9o5ZfYa1Hl6DoBdDkOqNF1zabwcQybaC51Q6UJWgKSWkSGIP9kYIKs5hOLN3Jrr8_8zKePv1UecmgS_2ntlmWYu_GK-6qO_AeZcXOGV2xnIKUM7t2ieIJcjXp8h-0pf87FFVgEQd2tMe9/s510/campaign_map1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyNC14DPXl8pF4EeaDVKQR3QgLA87gckm_9UcPw7gJHNCkMG9o5ZfYa1Hl6DoBdDkOqNF1zabwcQybaC51Q6UJWgKSWkSGIP9kYIKs5hOLN3Jrr8_8zKePv1UecmgS_2ntlmWYu_GK-6qO_AeZcXOGV2xnIKUM7t2ieIJcjXp8h-0pf87FFVgEQd2tMe9/w400-h266/campaign_map1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><br />And here is the layout on a 6 x 4 board. Prussians left, French right. The hill in centre not very visible in the photo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtA-03MYtnxhjaR9zNjFgctn_TNyhd0XODJUeiIEvp0nAcffY7Y5qNFNx_W3F85tJEldLPXbvtjWD2i6zdRSkK6M6TDjdDpI0wB9Rlk7XZHg2qutADDiTNf8ACgg_vja9YrMQw1yB2wtrdJgOEBUSPcZ7U87SFkwLWmBCRZ6194MCn6XbgmBZwFRBXnh0/s624/IMG_20231118_083039670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtA-03MYtnxhjaR9zNjFgctn_TNyhd0XODJUeiIEvp0nAcffY7Y5qNFNx_W3F85tJEldLPXbvtjWD2i6zdRSkK6M6TDjdDpI0wB9Rlk7XZHg2qutADDiTNf8ACgg_vja9YrMQw1yB2wtrdJgOEBUSPcZ7U87SFkwLWmBCRZ6194MCn6XbgmBZwFRBXnh0/w311-h400/IMG_20231118_083039670.jpg" width="311" /></a><br /><br />Time to get deployed, which means also sorting a battle plan. We drew a ‘special circumstance’ before the game and it turned out the Prussians had the order to simple hold the French probe, they must ‘Defend’ as a tactical order and would get a bonus for completing the ‘Hold the Line’ objective. It also meant, the village cottages had been fortified. So now for the tactical considerations. For me, the central hill was the obvious target, if I can take it and get guns on it there is a lot of possible VPs for objectives in it. The Prussians would have to come and fight for it or risk letting me have all those victory points unfought. They couldn’t really afford to just sit back and let me come. So to, I could not abandon the centre hill for the enemy to take, and therefore, would attack in force here. Cherou’s infantry brigade were up, they would deploy in the centre and go forwards. Also, the incentive was to get into his deployment zone and stop the Prussians claiming the extra VPs for ‘Holding the Line’. So attack I must, and the terrain dictated where. The other issue was the church, it can be a strong point for either side, so I had to contest it, or try and claim the VPs myself. That dictates where the second brigade, the Wurttembergers must go, because weak light cavalry aren’t ever going to capture a church for you. The Germans would be on my right, with orders to press forward and take the church. So, the cavalry would, by default, be on the left, a wide open area, eek! They would hold back, and use their harass ability and cover the 8 pdr guns from his cavalry rushing them. I must not let this single cavalry unit be wiped out, or the VPs (for an entire brigade gone, a big drawback for selecting weak brigades) could be terminal. If he came that way in force, I’d have to divert infantry from the hill attack to stop him. All sorts of tactical issues the game throws up. Now for a French tactical order. All Out Attack seemed obvious, but, I have a lot of reservist infantry to attack with, and 3 battalions are also ‘reluctant allies’ too, getting them to press charges for a ‘Grand Assault’ VP score would be too much to ask. A Steady Advance it would be. My deployment plan selected would be ‘centre forward’, closest to the hill, with the flanks back. Not complex, we're going hard up the middle. <br /><br />For the Prussians, they were always going to contest that hill, and with their main force. The Advanced Guard have to be in the deployment zone furthest forward anyway. They deployed with them in a screen, out front, and the reserve light cavalry behind to their right, and the Freikorps behind to the left, facing the church, to contest it. To stop me taking it, they’d have to send some of their poor infantry to try and hold it. Then there was the weak French right, an attack here looked just too tempting. So, for a commander with the ‘Defend’ order, von Fuch's was still going to come forwards (at least a bit) on his left, in the centre and on his right… aggressive defensive it is then. <br /><br />Time to deploy models… we laid out out our brigades, taking turns and finally saw how the battle would unfold. Wurttembergers vs Freikorp on my right, my main attack up the hill, led by a long extend line of light infantry screening the attack columns behind. My left was, err, not much, just some chasseurs hanging back, as his uhlan came for them. The Prussians won the initiative and would have first play, and also rolled well for command points, gaining 5, whilst I had 1… miserable!… it was time to let the guns thunder at Dollenkirche. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3sUcfkivJokKOaXK8dNQKpYiuas834LpeHPv07i-1mUR9YJ47rIYROg3qhiuw7s2P0enw_IslZYzCV8hhhmOs89B3-eMoog8BYD6SixMdGqjni8LaqCWyTaxpSUIb2RnwyigKO3I0guBhRjNmldTJvaJx6H0_tbBB3u9aT3CQIEfPTzVqKu-3pR8cZUM/s624/IMG_20231118_083039670a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3sUcfkivJokKOaXK8dNQKpYiuas834LpeHPv07i-1mUR9YJ47rIYROg3qhiuw7s2P0enw_IslZYzCV8hhhmOs89B3-eMoog8BYD6SixMdGqjni8LaqCWyTaxpSUIb2RnwyigKO3I0guBhRjNmldTJvaJx6H0_tbBB3u9aT3CQIEfPTzVqKu-3pR8cZUM/w311-h400/IMG_20231118_083039670a.jpg" width="311" /></a><br /><br />The Prussians began well, with a good hand and lots of orders to spend, whilst the French were sluggish (all 2 and 3 cards). His fusilier were quickly up on the hilltop, infantry and uhlan advancing on his right. Freikorps infantry rushed up at the quick and seized the church before the Wurttemberg troops had even moved. We’ll drive them out then!<br /><br />My line of light infantry got up the hill, voltiguers rushing out first and the trading of volley fire began, a solid volley from my line was repaid with interest with a withering volley from Prussian fusiliers that had my line recoiling back and rallying, ouch! These Prussians came to fight! <br /><br />Artillery added some early disruption to the mix and turn 1 ended with the Prussians in an early VP lead and retained the initiative on the ‘How Goes the Day?’ roll. <br /><br />Turn 2, and more of the same, Prussia fire was heavy in the centre as my light infantry and skirmishers weathered it and rallied again. It was hot up on the hill from the start. His ulhan, seeing my weak cavalry charged, lances levelled and my Chasseurs counter-charged (might as well). They lost the fight and withdraw to rally, losing 2 stands as well. His uhlan had come too far though, a long way from their commander and into canister range of my 8 pdr guns, a first blast then a second with an ‘intense cannonade’ saw they pay with 3 lost stand and a rally required for their victory. Both our cavalry units were a mess now. The Wurttemberg artillery also hit the church (they can hit the broad side of the church) and heavy skirmish fire from their light infantry and jaegers had the poor volunteers cowering inside the Dollenkirche. Behind, the infantry columns moved up, ready to try the assault (unlikely with their reluctant allies re-rolling a passed discipline check to charge). Still, excellent skirmishers and rifle-armed jaegers were doing the job anyway. <br /><br />Turn 2 ended with a few rallies and Prussians still had the better start. I need some good Orders cards to get Cherou’s infantry moving en-masse to take that hill, the 19th Leger’s two extended line battalion’s were weather hellish fire and had lost stands. Time for the main attack to strike…<br /><br />Turn 3, I finally got some Orders cards to get the infantry moving, and the advance began, cannon fire in support. Two columns reached the hill top, one to the left of it, one held back in reserve. More fire on the church and an inability to rally saw the Prussian reservist break and run. Wurttembergers moved in and had their objective and, by luck, the ‘Take a Stronghold’ objectives had been in my hand, I used it and in the End Phase claimed the VPs for the good work here, getting me back in the game, and just ahead on VPs for the objective bonus. Time to launch some charges on the hill and drive the Prussian fusiliers off it. <br /><br />This I tried, but only one charge was made, whilst another withering volley from the Prussian firing line saw another column smashed up, retreating, rallying (not) and then breaking. The right of my screening line pushed on, trading skirmish fire with Prussian by the cemetery and from the village cottages. Behind, my veteran unit, 1st of the 19th, pressed on to the hill, lining up a charge. That charge did drive the fusiliers back and off the hill, I had it, but too many Prussians unit were still too close to claim the ‘Take the High Ground’ objective (and I hadn’t been dealt one yet anyway… typical!). That small win was countered when his grenadiers counter-charged around the left of the hill and smashed up another of my line columns, driving it off, to rally and, unable to save them, then break. My attack up the hill had been costly in lost units and secured me little in return. Over by the church, my German skirmishers started to make his militia cavalry, deployed into the graveyard, pay with galling rifle fire. But, on my far left, his remaining uhlan had now rallied and regroup and were coming back for a second go. Artillery fire failed to deter them. After so many French rallies, the Prussians had crept ahead on VPs again. <br /><br />Now we reached a few turns of stalemate as both struggled to get much done. Charge request failed, all command point re-rolls had long been spent. Skirmish fire continued, his uhlan stalled for want of orders (trying to move a long way from your command stand requires lots more orders) and we both rallied to get units back in good order and shed disruption. My light infantry line reached (just) his forward deployment zone and denied him the easy VPs for that… phew! Game saver. More French artillery bombardments did little, although a better roll would have broken his uhlan… one more hit… dam my dice! <br /><br />Ok, end game, it was close, where could we press to win it? He pushed his grenadier’s counter-attack to advance around the hill and they then refused to charge (3 times!), resulting in trading ineffective volley firing from my reserve column and his. His uhlan closed on my poor chasseurs, who, err, ran off. I used an ‘at the gallop‘ special event to speed away to safety in the centre and avoid being charged again. This left my guns exposed though, but it was the lesser of two evils. The guns fired and missed… those few uhlan were a pain and I had no answer now, unless I got a Stalled card maybe (no such luck). The Freikorp rallied again and their cavalry finally decided to move up and try and drive off the skirmishers around the cemetery, currently using them as target practice. They charged and, leaping the stone wall, just made it to the light infantry line. They won the resulting melee, but only just. Meanwhile, the uhlan wheeled around and charged my exposed 8 pdr battery. The chasseurs were no longer in place to counter-charge and save the gunners, and so they were ridden down. That was it, the Prussian cavalry had saved the day for them and won them the victory. A couple of late (and fairly weak) cavalry charges saw the day’s French attack called off. Back to Madgeburg! Dollenkirche was a solid Prussian win in game 1 of the campaign, but a hard fought one.<br /><br />I got off to a bad start, but pulled it back and looked like I might just squeak it in the end, but in end, his cavalry advantage won the day. Lesson learnt, more cavalry for game 2 to counter his. My 5th Hussars are ready and eager for some action…<br /><br /> <br />Finally, post-game brew and debrief, we worked through the Marching phase of the campaign. It turned out to be poor weather, reducing morale values and the French were short on supplies and lost their full caisson. Both sides had lost a few stands from units and gained a few. I used my reinforcements to regain my lost 8 pdr battery. The Prussians replaced lost cavalry stands. We move on to game 2 in a couple of weeks, can’t wait. <br /></p><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cw18sypciSeR1pDzhPzh-xc6Lhm7k2RCPg43_GE4qc3N9pMgahQkpPQfalM469aUgSsuJXZE0TCx8LEtljguSLursMc43pgTsO6FicYMgIWrwKoJpThikO5A1G4olMBw3k2Aps9iXC3ioyZacwu5hCt4NJxnCbWebVUpKRWRYmBdcfaeZQP5DelYLbRH/s624/IMG_20231118_105125113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cw18sypciSeR1pDzhPzh-xc6Lhm7k2RCPg43_GE4qc3N9pMgahQkpPQfalM469aUgSsuJXZE0TCx8LEtljguSLursMc43pgTsO6FicYMgIWrwKoJpThikO5A1G4olMBw3k2Aps9iXC3ioyZacwu5hCt4NJxnCbWebVUpKRWRYmBdcfaeZQP5DelYLbRH/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_105125113.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherou's brigade deployed, light infantry screening, ready to take the hill. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAa9JecIZ9BW2zJ1d0FFb8IKz2-X1kN-NVhPFYeRj4ov7MgfGMC0jE2T45Ij6XheNVTwpw6vRgwtrA-XJ6hf_HDtdwk5asVbPXcWyxmMfiVaIrww6c2v1uQH7EX4mzz-ronk8fg-QgAWKeN4Auc6-BLw6lo6fKXd6UhG54UdphiA07Dgi-kmpuJvwYv3t/s624/IMG_20231118_105133096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAa9JecIZ9BW2zJ1d0FFb8IKz2-X1kN-NVhPFYeRj4ov7MgfGMC0jE2T45Ij6XheNVTwpw6vRgwtrA-XJ6hf_HDtdwk5asVbPXcWyxmMfiVaIrww6c2v1uQH7EX4mzz-ronk8fg-QgAWKeN4Auc6-BLw6lo6fKXd6UhG54UdphiA07Dgi-kmpuJvwYv3t/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_105133096.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberger's on the right, to take the church. Guns on the hillock have a good line of fire to it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CI3b0T2_gvXgIVNi3QLK3pS6LzeLq4VRb7J0_TMRQGBu3Sjs__cT7VDRsCbvFRcV5cWGO-V96pSy73ncSTKz9kcjCnl48oDd4aYIjmnU0KQjoH6aGk9JId5mSlZcnlHv25rmCy5oPIJK3JQFrrrVU0mgueXxgvsWcZTxbF2tc3cgsN7wXWmM6A5MwItm/s624/IMG_20231118_105147416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CI3b0T2_gvXgIVNi3QLK3pS6LzeLq4VRb7J0_TMRQGBu3Sjs__cT7VDRsCbvFRcV5cWGO-V96pSy73ncSTKz9kcjCnl48oDd4aYIjmnU0KQjoH6aGk9JId5mSlZcnlHv25rmCy5oPIJK3JQFrrrVU0mgueXxgvsWcZTxbF2tc3cgsN7wXWmM6A5MwItm/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_105147416.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General de Division, 'the old boot' Houlier. (tough as....), 1 officer marks 1 re-roll, which is rubbish. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2WxqN_hna1IZYASDkCihm21k2bJqGtIo3UV6_EbVLlcGsNSMS93EJc6LEpRCPGeuKkZt7yV1pHIZe8yxuhLOmRTTjejarKQK38HK2P0O9iLeE358P1Jn0YfeBfwRmlLcPQ0yx6fsKgGBade8Mx3l-4uTK3ajDgde12CBgBe-B2tURVnPb6qUE3LZ5BgG/s624/IMG_20231118_111254305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2WxqN_hna1IZYASDkCihm21k2bJqGtIo3UV6_EbVLlcGsNSMS93EJc6LEpRCPGeuKkZt7yV1pHIZe8yxuhLOmRTTjejarKQK38HK2P0O9iLeE358P1Jn0YfeBfwRmlLcPQ0yx6fsKgGBade8Mx3l-4uTK3ajDgde12CBgBe-B2tURVnPb6qUE3LZ5BgG/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_111254305.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg light infantry screen the assault on the church. Riflemen and later skirmishers, ahead of them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB9N0_uBZ7wml3c_sIeR1u8Ph93Vk7gju1nX_Nz2JdmJRauNfnyixsrw6QZ_sy5Yzmah9_4iTkawZ16rfWOPxK2uhbmfNxHhxKPK4M8cNICX45oyJslGJbPNfuDsrOoFnC5UHI1J__CJcX4fHBtbcXfiPr-FveMH2chLaSucEUEPzuzIK7SdtnCjizyCc/s624/IMG_20231118_111241703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB9N0_uBZ7wml3c_sIeR1u8Ph93Vk7gju1nX_Nz2JdmJRauNfnyixsrw6QZ_sy5Yzmah9_4iTkawZ16rfWOPxK2uhbmfNxHhxKPK4M8cNICX45oyJslGJbPNfuDsrOoFnC5UHI1J__CJcX4fHBtbcXfiPr-FveMH2chLaSucEUEPzuzIK7SdtnCjizyCc/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_111241703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volleys are traded on the central hill, 19th Leger vs fusiliers. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFWqNG3PTF8-3J1rKDQaBhZFYt5zplixLxoFtSVpFtSy2Bp7sNFZysQLcGAApG0ZJGBeCKqs_0J5r6zJgIqbOIPH2-KVrB5nDRIfXtUou0fIwMRY9qxlHxcaHky5ENCVF15Q2hl_biMtcKDPwo_ba11JXelI97awkum2mjfryiLDTfywkvmEGqftyT3iM/s624/IMG_20231118_111235350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFWqNG3PTF8-3J1rKDQaBhZFYt5zplixLxoFtSVpFtSy2Bp7sNFZysQLcGAApG0ZJGBeCKqs_0J5r6zJgIqbOIPH2-KVrB5nDRIfXtUou0fIwMRY9qxlHxcaHky5ENCVF15Q2hl_biMtcKDPwo_ba11JXelI97awkum2mjfryiLDTfywkvmEGqftyT3iM/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_111235350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uhlan and more fusiliers on the Prussian far right. A big problem for me. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO4KXKy8715Kd-TSgLQc70QAbCQ9wOewNe23xPULsAH9Ol_iBUGNfTtQncZ1tWyxxznIHClbsSAiUvKTwbWI3YcwCa2X5r4rmZusorQV2zJQ1nYm3hyphenhyphenfspbQ5j2A0gmUBYvIhcKx_UlQwYfeezAY7_RIZpSw19t1cY0A3yf4wY589MUOOf9tAhPN99SiK/s624/IMG_20231118_105629352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO4KXKy8715Kd-TSgLQc70QAbCQ9wOewNe23xPULsAH9Ol_iBUGNfTtQncZ1tWyxxznIHClbsSAiUvKTwbWI3YcwCa2X5r4rmZusorQV2zJQ1nYm3hyphenhyphenfspbQ5j2A0gmUBYvIhcKx_UlQwYfeezAY7_RIZpSw19t1cY0A3yf4wY589MUOOf9tAhPN99SiK/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_105629352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patriotic Freikorps, and their guns, which couldn't hit a barn from the inside today. More training for volunteer gunners. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0JQz7ehBYvl4WCTmVxWMhxJ8GGi255_CwzVztgtcTYDNxlRWYdf2a24c7DEscMJFUSrEcm9h6i1t3GPzBPFa1lxXiezbsoyCh9AgtWdgu1neKHEH7_j_PoRmC4w8UndIZtkanxMOaxqyuSxxeAs91paZsncYJ3BzcxNqD2TQ00wEQy173660yLEJXStP/s624/IMG_20231118_105618928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0JQz7ehBYvl4WCTmVxWMhxJ8GGi255_CwzVztgtcTYDNxlRWYdf2a24c7DEscMJFUSrEcm9h6i1t3GPzBPFa1lxXiezbsoyCh9AgtWdgu1neKHEH7_j_PoRmC4w8UndIZtkanxMOaxqyuSxxeAs91paZsncYJ3BzcxNqD2TQ00wEQy173660yLEJXStP/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_105618928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian advance begins across the fields (open terrain, just for looks). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhIvL1gxAlZDim2oMNRPoLmEWZC9xS0cP4RRmrdzyuGJ306IYdomMFahjzgFCqIHLneQDrJVaAypZpjWSMqkHJmWL93wrrMK1lo-dP1lsQqYb9Uo-_F6w62uN6UCUoM0X-iLwRilAuKlAGL8baUWhRrshW04mrSAjmtgjwMvFM8tbe0yfbxDsuHAOo7yk/s624/IMG_20231118_113229428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhIvL1gxAlZDim2oMNRPoLmEWZC9xS0cP4RRmrdzyuGJ306IYdomMFahjzgFCqIHLneQDrJVaAypZpjWSMqkHJmWL93wrrMK1lo-dP1lsQqYb9Uo-_F6w62uN6UCUoM0X-iLwRilAuKlAGL8baUWhRrshW04mrSAjmtgjwMvFM8tbe0yfbxDsuHAOo7yk/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_113229428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heavy skirmishing around the church. Now occupied by Freikorp reservists...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS5JktrdlDBMXOC8JSn8k-E1EG1JPtRxbKmzO02x7bFxaD0rAgkboUyMplxWJSVJiQZveo9lHEw4FXJtTu4rtAhXivTlNJ7FlJ42yCQIcZicHfs-2L4rxMgLENoabYjhffD0fbKryGnkyEKLNj_6uIXQdjg0ptv3ZwEumeBYrpXiQk6uovlhyphenhyphenRdfat75R/s624/IMG_20231118_115048455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS5JktrdlDBMXOC8JSn8k-E1EG1JPtRxbKmzO02x7bFxaD0rAgkboUyMplxWJSVJiQZveo9lHEw4FXJtTu4rtAhXivTlNJ7FlJ42yCQIcZicHfs-2L4rxMgLENoabYjhffD0fbKryGnkyEKLNj_6uIXQdjg0ptv3ZwEumeBYrpXiQk6uovlhyphenhyphenRdfat75R/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_115048455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French columns comes round the hill and drives off the fusiliers, before being flank charged by grenadiers, breaking them... red dice mark an officer stand's 'at risk' number. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8_ieW-6sAo4x6SLn7qZr7unQS_6FtLZ5Seo53KdBV1FUV90O94MpQWV5wTJ-AkGUhJILZOf4URpi_LnV2Xk3Rvd-4TII4EMhAb_PL-LN52JdO3b-CANAlpAupyztRXSyPf-j1FfFjOrtyq5MfWJs3E8N04D1GobqU1WPrjIiUcPbduXS9QuJqgTTSx9V/s624/IMG_20231118_115057756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8_ieW-6sAo4x6SLn7qZr7unQS_6FtLZ5Seo53KdBV1FUV90O94MpQWV5wTJ-AkGUhJILZOf4URpi_LnV2Xk3Rvd-4TII4EMhAb_PL-LN52JdO3b-CANAlpAupyztRXSyPf-j1FfFjOrtyq5MfWJs3E8N04D1GobqU1WPrjIiUcPbduXS9QuJqgTTSx9V/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_115057756.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19th Leger weather the storm in the fight for the hill top. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoXNmnlLgRcFO5JjWUHCjQiWC2c4mWRIzarZYS6K-iB46U6zmgU2knvgtPDsJY5715SuVsaN-SPE1bzZnRH03sFjR7fijMC94C6Y-7S8tVVCyJDLcF7L5JYQvGej342ErWrLLYU_A-jJL53uSdpNayN9_6AYQxUcAlORWJaqpxnF9f5AysVTcst5Fga8W/s624/IMG_20231118_122005055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoXNmnlLgRcFO5JjWUHCjQiWC2c4mWRIzarZYS6K-iB46U6zmgU2knvgtPDsJY5715SuVsaN-SPE1bzZnRH03sFjR7fijMC94C6Y-7S8tVVCyJDLcF7L5JYQvGej342ErWrLLYU_A-jJL53uSdpNayN9_6AYQxUcAlORWJaqpxnF9f5AysVTcst5Fga8W/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_122005055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disordered column, taking fire, retreating and breaking. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpQBqquAmHG051TW5Nj6Q5H57xgQMcpfrTdr5dNbF0rmRCDMY57uLAf9YU4FJtq-7C7I8ULML9zaY7GtZPwkQ6COcYr1OooaT_-MNGqmOiThy0EdSYLNh00jSkjQxYra8X3voV21TYfX5kz0MOYaSkYuGTDGzCfVkqGfTJIp16OZyrxO5jLk9oA6sqgUE/s624/IMG_20231118_122031498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpQBqquAmHG051TW5Nj6Q5H57xgQMcpfrTdr5dNbF0rmRCDMY57uLAf9YU4FJtq-7C7I8ULML9zaY7GtZPwkQ6COcYr1OooaT_-MNGqmOiThy0EdSYLNh00jSkjQxYra8X3voV21TYfX5kz0MOYaSkYuGTDGzCfVkqGfTJIp16OZyrxO5jLk9oA6sqgUE/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_122031498.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French attack columns final reach the hill top, but march into another withering volley. Carnage!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mUgK81kxfksMvMbUplLOySbOkV-UU6VPG0iDmwzqF8C_i-zHRO-jdvMOIUe64eobnx5VCgshViIg8ZmxBz5MASvgYPJ96pMVXtSKyyQ6Jx0Tyf6Hqppt5sCGNQbCHgzaH7aJTVxTqvsd1lN5w8MrxJODAKD92TUJ37DlpEt7zv-rnaw-DsiPERWEhZvK/s624/IMG_20231118_123107100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mUgK81kxfksMvMbUplLOySbOkV-UU6VPG0iDmwzqF8C_i-zHRO-jdvMOIUe64eobnx5VCgshViIg8ZmxBz5MASvgYPJ96pMVXtSKyyQ6Jx0Tyf6Hqppt5sCGNQbCHgzaH7aJTVxTqvsd1lN5w8MrxJODAKD92TUJ37DlpEt7zv-rnaw-DsiPERWEhZvK/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_123107100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grognards of the 19th Leger close in on the right the finish the job... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3oVzz3xXOoEirpX7xjT2r6S9AouVCE3sDzZkm79aA8xLv6evqvdJZ6deszj7uNJDBoap5chj3BMznh9VjNGxwTLQ7npyu40F5_yCEfRomHqwlpszzVWV4JQljJSaVLYwv8cVAwIFF_zIvyfTlyQzdNnAxHaAwz7Pkl8EL6ZGBPcu7tRZsJa8FlZ1CGqX/s624/IMG_20231118_123118250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3oVzz3xXOoEirpX7xjT2r6S9AouVCE3sDzZkm79aA8xLv6evqvdJZ6deszj7uNJDBoap5chj3BMznh9VjNGxwTLQ7npyu40F5_yCEfRomHqwlpszzVWV4JQljJSaVLYwv8cVAwIFF_zIvyfTlyQzdNnAxHaAwz7Pkl8EL6ZGBPcu7tRZsJa8FlZ1CGqX/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_123118250.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenadiers have driven off the French column here. There bold counter would come to little more, despite trying. Never have grenadiers refused to charge so often! The shame! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ84mOvNk_ltFDkESc9CesC02rC_m5onGBlHR60f5JJYWVKU09Ms-8cve-MbbZgQSyqA09kraXBF5LjsXmGznKVzFB4g-203BlMlqbRECYgKV_8uwd7qWiyuqWFQqIftSmx3PcZ_-thKyGGV3S-F_Io5x61Xcs4lUvFN157szeU5pLhvTkTwcZMsJ4bYSx/s624/IMG_20231118_132524616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ84mOvNk_ltFDkESc9CesC02rC_m5onGBlHR60f5JJYWVKU09Ms-8cve-MbbZgQSyqA09kraXBF5LjsXmGznKVzFB4g-203BlMlqbRECYgKV_8uwd7qWiyuqWFQqIftSmx3PcZ_-thKyGGV3S-F_Io5x61Xcs4lUvFN157szeU5pLhvTkTwcZMsJ4bYSx/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_132524616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On! On! Behind the eagle of the 19th... they have the hill. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDHRjCJimfWq_UM8Gly-NcRpTANZPUCn2xR9CzNJEOLRvXwznuCc344OopkwKTkxQlQzHtW1TNZerbqNSS9i30nokbAQ37g351M91aXeHPFBJ415laLIf7gYlLCWZi9QYu18zz5YnKv55_2MiHTpMllSSB2CtW6S_haRVUPajCFhe1tomEwbhHqRrqTZO/s624/IMG_20231118_133213530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDHRjCJimfWq_UM8Gly-NcRpTANZPUCn2xR9CzNJEOLRvXwznuCc344OopkwKTkxQlQzHtW1TNZerbqNSS9i30nokbAQ37g351M91aXeHPFBJ415laLIf7gYlLCWZi9QYu18zz5YnKv55_2MiHTpMllSSB2CtW6S_haRVUPajCFhe1tomEwbhHqRrqTZO/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_133213530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Wurttemberg also has the church as a strong-point. It is turning to the French... maybe... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFwKbfE2F2Y3YBxa_Hp1fSH2JuxBPYLsdRKwa4rg9jW8LF9nmGGHruVQuIB-2vHXlZd0PssKlhP3RaZEXsoG_qDRLSCRvuNd-Ro9Cvt0vQJzZ-K02vFDVgfhwxaaNLka9YzZIZ688GXTrVU0eRc5hOYCDC8sZwsI0Zm-GhvcAWZB3rApoqTCcv3v8_x0X/s624/IMG_20231118_134802302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFwKbfE2F2Y3YBxa_Hp1fSH2JuxBPYLsdRKwa4rg9jW8LF9nmGGHruVQuIB-2vHXlZd0PssKlhP3RaZEXsoG_qDRLSCRvuNd-Ro9Cvt0vQJzZ-K02vFDVgfhwxaaNLka9YzZIZ688GXTrVU0eRc5hOYCDC8sZwsI0Zm-GhvcAWZB3rApoqTCcv3v8_x0X/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_134802302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian top brass arrive at Dollenkirche to inspect the day's blooding... all seems in hand... no panic! Later I used a 'commander wounded' event for some stray howitzer fire to land on him, it missed! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMYJb4HFpjmj8tFDUtWSpR16my4Uz-Yw5OV0EcCfbYWjMRmz5P12Va7Ougn4IIrds7b7fYoC5aDvL0Mj-tdyC9dQbfcTSh6EpUdbPXiGVFcvo9ixs8X2QoCUFsxgi8Fvv69hJPdphATDefDGfTD2JIJTJckhTs1lxcDdhyphenhyphenIRp9GsPjPZ3HORRh3y2Oqzk/s624/IMG_20231118_134813413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMYJb4HFpjmj8tFDUtWSpR16my4Uz-Yw5OV0EcCfbYWjMRmz5P12Va7Ougn4IIrds7b7fYoC5aDvL0Mj-tdyC9dQbfcTSh6EpUdbPXiGVFcvo9ixs8X2QoCUFsxgi8Fvv69hJPdphATDefDGfTD2JIJTJckhTs1lxcDdhyphenhyphenIRp9GsPjPZ3HORRh3y2Oqzk/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_134813413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushed off the hill top, the line reforms, reserve uhlan move up to cover the cannons for a counter charge, should the French come down. But the attack has petered out. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbPC7kIBJARnDV2p4BwrOkfUFOSyVCguusFbwUJ0AogMFeU5B6dYPmQNOjHs1s20_ynW3AtN4rWoaqICWJ7fkEJy-MtAM0B5glG5n2kwwkvfhx5-g516vaBXZZoUposw3kc3WApcmNSpXf0-huNWZdpdH11yrAld1FdswOBrWHI8dhjoqra9moVuKd_hE/s624/IMG_20231118_134825163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbPC7kIBJARnDV2p4BwrOkfUFOSyVCguusFbwUJ0AogMFeU5B6dYPmQNOjHs1s20_ynW3AtN4rWoaqICWJ7fkEJy-MtAM0B5glG5n2kwwkvfhx5-g516vaBXZZoUposw3kc3WApcmNSpXf0-huNWZdpdH11yrAld1FdswOBrWHI8dhjoqra9moVuKd_hE/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_134825163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The screen reaches the Prussian deployment zone, vital work, if hot. 2nd battalion of the 19th earned their corn today. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpIOVle697xy3LACiYBb80i_bDXn_Xn3tl3DM_n5V5om2WD-Gylp9s0yaUgvPJPL4gcwGMYZfwk80XosB1Qqix7v_agajbmWcLFlczKzwymSEqC407mM6R5uojtaiZm6mdAjShtvwOSMqCcYjs9kkGYfccsqEYiaDu70RDoYAi-1r9bSI7WTvGr2zjY3F/s624/IMG_20231118_141705062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpIOVle697xy3LACiYBb80i_bDXn_Xn3tl3DM_n5V5om2WD-Gylp9s0yaUgvPJPL4gcwGMYZfwk80XosB1Qqix7v_agajbmWcLFlczKzwymSEqC407mM6R5uojtaiZm6mdAjShtvwOSMqCcYjs9kkGYfccsqEYiaDu70RDoYAi-1r9bSI7WTvGr2zjY3F/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_141705062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg skirmishers and jaegers give fire into the cemetery, picking off militia cavalry at will. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcfssxO5WNwq-RLmYIQiWUgd3PmCN1FiqdVEFkRMEmCzl3Tc5XDmtrwgGZCf3ID9Ov2ww78mrOaLJXL2-XRl5sDMulhZT_045zISDyoK5cDnCYcU4jY6q2CrzSXT57ncd5vsDlfIkfCe6eqkf5ZTR-1n7jq32bfZ4Un89wY8xCUn8Qzi0AtdMNtdwIkaW/s624/IMG_20231118_141720225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcfssxO5WNwq-RLmYIQiWUgd3PmCN1FiqdVEFkRMEmCzl3Tc5XDmtrwgGZCf3ID9Ov2ww78mrOaLJXL2-XRl5sDMulhZT_045zISDyoK5cDnCYcU4jY6q2CrzSXT57ncd5vsDlfIkfCe6eqkf5ZTR-1n7jq32bfZ4Un89wY8xCUn8Qzi0AtdMNtdwIkaW/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_141720225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 10th Chasseurs (the sad remains off) run for cover in the centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-8LZcfnFP6p9ico4Adr-9d0DB4pnAeOVrPGIvNEdXNUOTHDJ_cLohkuDlfEPdbhLV57mUpXvPj35O1VLRJktkdvK7gdErmHd_-pI8kCfpz6z5ooCnYXj_alE4wHrQbyeXFdpPf98xiSZwCehqR0LCLIxODS9eZ-zRTCULkMWqikA8scVSJDGsmqRhvj-/s624/IMG_20231118_143625048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-8LZcfnFP6p9ico4Adr-9d0DB4pnAeOVrPGIvNEdXNUOTHDJ_cLohkuDlfEPdbhLV57mUpXvPj35O1VLRJktkdvK7gdErmHd_-pI8kCfpz6z5ooCnYXj_alE4wHrQbyeXFdpPf98xiSZwCehqR0LCLIxODS9eZ-zRTCULkMWqikA8scVSJDGsmqRhvj-/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_143625048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But, the guns are then exposed and his last uhlan overrun them... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBPAcBGuLhXO3AFa2jSTtcW-92Ul4b6u3vrmY5CSevfetb1dXHQKKSMtiNAoILzStXp13BxJr1f-HjGmy6SkzS-9r0U_vjidYeTRoQagLt7CF6dPp88dj8XKT0ft_u13M8T2N6HcbhDdyWUfSm32v22Q_zIpt3onYP_9m_sn7Rsgqot3oPriPjV8w-M29/s624/IMG_20231118_143940748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBPAcBGuLhXO3AFa2jSTtcW-92Ul4b6u3vrmY5CSevfetb1dXHQKKSMtiNAoILzStXp13BxJr1f-HjGmy6SkzS-9r0U_vjidYeTRoQagLt7CF6dPp88dj8XKT0ft_u13M8T2N6HcbhDdyWUfSm32v22Q_zIpt3onYP_9m_sn7Rsgqot3oPriPjV8w-M29/w400-h300/IMG_20231118_143940748.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the militia light cavalry win a narrow fight by the church from a risky charge... that is enough for 'the old boot', time to withdraw for the day. Prussia has the field whilst the Old Boot retreats to help defend Madgeburg. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-47877144040256254782023-11-03T09:47:00.002-07:002023-11-03T09:47:48.094-07:00ACTION ON THE MINSK HIGHWAY, WITH BATTLEGROUP BAGRATION<p>This game was pre-set at 900 points per side, a meeting engagement with the exact scenario randomly rolled. It turned out to be a straight Attack/Counter-Attack game. So, we deployed our scouts, 3 each, so no advantage there, and the Germans would take the first turn. </p><p></p><p>Here's my army list for the action – <br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXH9FhpVWAmKAuZInsRM64XOYHQLWVE3Pr5bpnMcqerdHcfCzJ6WuIkA8hB4oOTzWtN5qHiSzMG_G5HV7iAVPTWb4U5-XkyOp4Yh2nk2BqnojTEUbGJHjRxgGAvfxVlANSwoorEgc7g0nJLVm-wMLieESkiFKX5cpao7fjaAxL8Js9nT1wl3DdmfZwVQwT/s1254/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-03%20at%2015.40.51.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXH9FhpVWAmKAuZInsRM64XOYHQLWVE3Pr5bpnMcqerdHcfCzJ6WuIkA8hB4oOTzWtN5qHiSzMG_G5HV7iAVPTWb4U5-XkyOp4Yh2nk2BqnojTEUbGJHjRxgGAvfxVlANSwoorEgc7g0nJLVm-wMLieESkiFKX5cpao7fjaAxL8Js9nT1wl3DdmfZwVQwT/w316-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-03%20at%2015.40.51.png" width="316" /></a><br /><br />The scenario grows as forces arrive, so the start saw some minor moving of the scouts into positions, the Russian long range patrol in woods getting their radio set-up to spot for mortars when needed, my recce HQ doing likewise from the cottage on the hill (goo spot), only with a battery of Hummels on call with their 150mm guns, serious hitting power. Meanwhile, their little half-track scooted off to claim an early objective. By the end of turn 1 we both had 2 objectives each. The first Germans arrived were foot pounding grenadiers on my right, making for the road, to secure the objective and threatened the one in the big woods ahead, currently with three well camouflaged red army scouts in it, with big binoculars. They called in teh first mortar fire and added some pinning, but as yet, no losses. <br /><br />The Russian began somewhat more dramatically, speeding in three T-34s and tank riders in a top-speed drive straight at my forming lines, aimed at the hillock my recce troops were holding, it came on at full speed in ‘Crazy Ivan’ frontal charge. This provoked some ambush fire from my lurking SdKfz 250/9’s 20mm cannon, the only AT weapon I currently had to stop 3 tanks (if it even counts)! <br /><br />This forced my hand, so next turn, in rolled my Panther tanks, to counter the T-34 rush, and the first radio check got through to the Hummel battery, which dropped in their first rounds, pinning 1 tank at least. The other two rushed on for the hill though. Behind, ever more Russian arrived: infantry, two SU-76s, their HQ, trucks or various type and sizes and then their big hitters, two SU-152 – oh zverboi! <br /><br />The race to reinforce was on, and we both rolled well, the smaller German force was soon ‘all-in’, with two supply trucks the last to arrive and lurk at the back, awaiting need. My radio van and forward aid post also took cover behind a rearward copse, and got busy doing their thing. Up front, the fight was on, my Panthers taking aiming and missing with the first AP rounds to rip through the air today. Stopping that charge would be the focus of the first turns of combat. Meanwhile, at the road, my infantry had deployed, including their HMG-42 tripod and loader team that was soon on ambush fire and could rake along the wood line facing them. 1 Panther pulled up behind them, awaiting those SU-152s to appear… come to papa! Then, a IL-2 Sturmovik dived in on a (well) timed bombing run and hit the road junction, right on the Panther. Bombs away, one was a direct hit and kaboom, I had lost my command tank without firing a shot… a burning wreck. Damn those VVS Jabos! (and I forget to include any AA weapon, dumb!). <br /><br />Firing was building up, my artillery did some good work on pinning and destroyed a truck, then killed his sniper in an (un)lucky, rolled a 1, cover save. The charging Russian tank riders had leapt down off their tanks and into the woods on the hill, where a ferocious fire-fight started, one grenadier squad and their MG team pinning them all down. Now for the tanks. One of which was hit and destroyed by my panzer ace Panther, score 1 kill for the day, he’ll need many more! The ‘crazy ivan’ attack was stalling, and next turn, more heavy MG and 20mm cannon (250/9) fire would cut down the Russian infantry, leaving a few survivors only. The second T-34 was hit by more Panther fire and burned… crazy ivan attack over! Phew, back the rest of the fight.<br /><br />The Russians were pushing into the big woods in numbers and a heavy exchange of small arms fire began, German MGs (4 of them) hammering the tree line and causing pinning, and more pinning, all heads down in there. Behind, 3 more T-34s were coming up through the trees with more tank riders on them. The SU-152 were lurking behind waiting on reserve move. To counter this (after loosing the Panther) I moved my Jagdpanzer-IV up and then onto ambush fire, when they came, they’d at least risk some AP fire. Now, it seemed the Germans were on top… the counters favoured them anyway, but all was about the change.<br /><br />From his hill top vantage point the Russian HQ urgently called for fire support, and got through, using his wire team them got a ‘Front’ battery of 4 152mm guns. It open fire at the road (lots of my infantry down there) but deviate on a wild shot, by 20” woah! Miles out, except it landed right between my two panthers back by the hill. The rolls to-hit saw multiple direct hits scored and, kaboom, kaboom, both my panzers went up in smoke… one big stonk, and my armour was gone – trouble! <br /><br />Still, I had my Jagdpanzer-IV (last armour), lots of panzerfausts and the Hummel fire, we’d give it go, but the enemy still had 4 tanks and 4 assault guns… I was confident I would hold or see-off his infantry, with so many MGs and that HMG, his two rifle platoons were already looking low on manpower. He’d send the armour instead… of course! <br /><br />As he did, the T-34s appeared through the trees, firing HE and MGs and the pinning mounted. The SU-152s came too and my aiming Jagdpanzer hit, only to glance off! Drat… their big HE shells also missed though. The pressure was on, the fight intense, and the Russians were going for the jugular now. My panzer grenadiers had to just hang on, and keep those Hummels firing. They did, and got one T-34, but then the radios failed and the guns fell silent for a turn, not good timing. Time for heroics, of the panzerfaust-kind. Out leapt a bold grenadier to loose at a SU-152, hit, and glanced off again… then a mine strike counter also bounced off… mein gott! Beasts these things… another ‘fuast squarely hit a T-34 and wrecked in. Still, I paid for that as HE fire returned all along the road, pinning just about everything, from his SU-76s and T-34s. Along the road, and sneaky flank move came a suspicious truck, it unloaded his assault engineer squad, flamethower at the ready. I responded I used tactical co-ordination to get my HMG back up, and it hammered the wood line and turned the truck into a smoking colander. Both sides stacks of counters at raced up in heavy fighting… it was close. The counter taken for the tac co-ordination was, woop!, an Air Attack, and the Luftwaffe appeared. A bomb-armed Stuka (old school in ’44) dropped in next turn… perhaps it could turn the day? <br /><br />Into the end game, as the fight along the road continued. My Jagdpazner was hit by more 152mm arty fire and KO’d… several MG teams and squads were lost to HE and MG fire, one to a hit from 152mm HE from a close range Zverboi! - painful. The road was carnage. I dished some damage out too though, another a ’faust claimed a T-34 and the hard working HMG team, still going, cut down the last of another Russian rifle squad… that gun was in danger of melting its barrel. The Russians were feeling the pain of HMG-42 fire (makes a change not to be on the end of it to be honest). The Stuka dived in, though DshK AA fire and bombed the rear hill with his HQ elements, radio truck, etc, on it. High value targets. One rifle platoon platoon HQ was directly hit and wiped out, the rest pinned down in the screaming attack. 2 more counters pulled for that, but still the Reds didn’t break. Next turn the JU-87 came back and strafed a supply truck into flaming wreck as well. But with only 4 BR left, could I survive another turn?<br /><br />It looked like I may, the SU-152s were out of ammo and retreating to find more. His T-34s gone (bar 1) only the SU-76s in the wood line kept up the HE fusillade, to little effect. His infantry had not much fire power to add, beyond a few 50mm mortars lobbed over at the road. It was his engineers that settled in, moving through the central marshes to attack my (stationary) 250/1 (recce HQ’s transport), its pintle-MG fire had been keeping Russian heads down. But it didn’t move last turn (oops) and the flamethrower attack hit it. Engulfed in flame, it was wrecked… so 2 counters, 1 for the loss, 1 for the flamethrower terror. The first was… a ‘Confusion’, one Russian squad was pinned by it. The next (I might survive), a 5… god-damn it. That was it, my brave defence of the highway was over.<br /><br /> It had been carnage… to both sides… both my platoons reduced to well under 50% in men, no armour left… but the Hummels were still firing. The Reds lost 5 of 6 T-34s, but the assault guns all survived, some how (the SU-152s were unstoppable today). Great game, 3.5 hours of hammering away. The Russians still had 9 BR left of 61… the Red Horde could not be turned. Maybe with 1 more turn of firing, a good Hummels strike and the Stuka strafing up another soft target (lurking radio truck I’m looking at you) I might have just forced a win… not that it matters, because it was top fun win or lose. The section of the Minsk highway is in Russian hands now.</p>The action – <br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc9ckFPdcTnxXuWbS9zib8g_XKV56zL-S4bk0fth9F70EILHPIK12asv2jukwq5_bKHEDPVLUl2m1vkhuuYnezVwwW97rKBAzqmgmCr7_NQbDLWa2vXJ0feFSI7JhEJK2lUOH-73_TcLfSxovFaB6sXBi9dwmVz6YYlZFCgr0cvttJUZD2gfhrjCS95qT/s624/IMG_20231028_105058087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc9ckFPdcTnxXuWbS9zib8g_XKV56zL-S4bk0fth9F70EILHPIK12asv2jukwq5_bKHEDPVLUl2m1vkhuuYnezVwwW97rKBAzqmgmCr7_NQbDLWa2vXJ0feFSI7JhEJK2lUOH-73_TcLfSxovFaB6sXBi9dwmVz6YYlZFCgr0cvttJUZD2gfhrjCS95qT/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_105058087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field, paved highway up the centre. Germans from near corner edge, Russians from far. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrXMxWntQYL9_BMvxjC7DHPD3NbRKCVpgW_h_4bbg08rYpiHCj45CeZ516ibAgarodpFp5rqDLiFvFIgmtp_HzfccAYGdHe0P7gFs1OVAA0TF-0u4x9yQ4kLjWJSxmFm5qhI8DqG9_2S6rQ9v-qt7nfL5963eNOFGiKiN73sX7L3DaQG8lMFitk0ON6Ot/s624/IMG_20231028_105120729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrXMxWntQYL9_BMvxjC7DHPD3NbRKCVpgW_h_4bbg08rYpiHCj45CeZ516ibAgarodpFp5rqDLiFvFIgmtp_HzfccAYGdHe0P7gFs1OVAA0TF-0u4x9yQ4kLjWJSxmFm5qhI8DqG9_2S6rQ9v-qt7nfL5963eNOFGiKiN73sX7L3DaQG8lMFitk0ON6Ot/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_105120729.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red recce team, watching the German deployment. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDD-OXVZS2OX_qRN6vSgV-aRkOG3RB-a7JfQZWz02gxBkCjxhJJuPfOMno8M67IgCpTl5BC7GHbo6oE2gCzM8DCQz6-bUYxEvIap7opbrajcTBlWWlEEOBF0BU0ZxzvFDGpbCI55wB7FjdvlqCYl-oxaaGSlVpKn_uZySxtQeeku2LdNvhYYbb3X7BcG1/s624/IMG_20231028_105133380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDD-OXVZS2OX_qRN6vSgV-aRkOG3RB-a7JfQZWz02gxBkCjxhJJuPfOMno8M67IgCpTl5BC7GHbo6oE2gCzM8DCQz6-bUYxEvIap7opbrajcTBlWWlEEOBF0BU0ZxzvFDGpbCI55wB7FjdvlqCYl-oxaaGSlVpKn_uZySxtQeeku2LdNvhYYbb3X7BcG1/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_105133380.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">250/1 heads the road junction objective to claim it early. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT7NhurUtVk3G8D4mofUuKQN1Xa0TI25u9i3rvyV7nwpEYOMUblM8A9zbf20PE-cI5l6I3QlNEGqTNxXx3MQTLrRZJt1OZACAsACX8j2mcwxL9PEP9rcNmV1ZcbZZb4_IZi9yIDUdV5HXc_stNbquwkp8KweuERkrTpJ-zuSPkB4Tl6N5lnRpiyUhA8iM/s624/IMG_20231028_111919921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT7NhurUtVk3G8D4mofUuKQN1Xa0TI25u9i3rvyV7nwpEYOMUblM8A9zbf20PE-cI5l6I3QlNEGqTNxXx3MQTLrRZJt1OZACAsACX8j2mcwxL9PEP9rcNmV1ZcbZZb4_IZi9yIDUdV5HXc_stNbquwkp8KweuERkrTpJ-zuSPkB4Tl6N5lnRpiyUhA8iM/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_111919921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Ivan is on his way... 3 T-34s about to make to top speed charge. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFohEPkwgbFnQQxYzA0Uxck9Jbfh8yLU2uEDFWqUy5m_HTDaNHqFOd4Bgvyjvk8a09d8EIYOrp_Ojh4nxdpMYgmXnviD7_xw3-qM9fyFqdIKVvc_bz2BLB6LrubMTjABMx6xNn7SMuUxMnH9fUqo0QTKBhWXOpTaUH-o2cO_cImTJ0WWvN-YDJjNT9Gxx/s624/IMG_20231028_111939369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFohEPkwgbFnQQxYzA0Uxck9Jbfh8yLU2uEDFWqUy5m_HTDaNHqFOd4Bgvyjvk8a09d8EIYOrp_Ojh4nxdpMYgmXnviD7_xw3-qM9fyFqdIKVvc_bz2BLB6LrubMTjABMx6xNn7SMuUxMnH9fUqo0QTKBhWXOpTaUH-o2cO_cImTJ0WWvN-YDJjNT9Gxx/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_111939369.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First panzer grenadier platoon deploying on foot... others would tank ride in. Rush to get forwards and get set-up to defend the road. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HNw5eMpw3xneIwwlxCoKvXTQCNO9TyFGF6QL-ZpZ6T1_sk44aKwfg8rcUfKpPcdQWDXscNhdZQTkLCmnzowJjWCkmAUgS7qiXgP4ttcKDBCBEC0vGXRHHJ-h4YZmRMk0PEFmqNhBbIxZgZXZJtJknRvqJgYpaVveFlM62bWLAv9aAomXF89fk2VU5uQB/s624/IMG_20231028_114443452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HNw5eMpw3xneIwwlxCoKvXTQCNO9TyFGF6QL-ZpZ6T1_sk44aKwfg8rcUfKpPcdQWDXscNhdZQTkLCmnzowJjWCkmAUgS7qiXgP4ttcKDBCBEC0vGXRHHJ-h4YZmRMk0PEFmqNhBbIxZgZXZJtJknRvqJgYpaVveFlM62bWLAv9aAomXF89fk2VU5uQB/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_114443452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jabos! Sturmovik attack run...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwsiE0PLqf2aYgI3mWTwT8sdumRWTKQ08tXcU7YWvBnc6SP1kmupOjJJ7-KN-00KmKFIXEGwR-VC9yMkpzqK2_D1AOlQrbkMJulKSwRe3KikyJ-YwUyAwjbJY0zaXECEigPaXnCEjFSKpUXJ1ttXtvRXPUG2ovR9SHLYvCBdSZftXNM8V29qH0_xIq7Sf/s624/IMG_20231028_114431425.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwsiE0PLqf2aYgI3mWTwT8sdumRWTKQ08tXcU7YWvBnc6SP1kmupOjJJ7-KN-00KmKFIXEGwR-VC9yMkpzqK2_D1AOlQrbkMJulKSwRe3KikyJ-YwUyAwjbJY0zaXECEigPaXnCEjFSKpUXJ1ttXtvRXPUG2ovR9SHLYvCBdSZftXNM8V29qH0_xIq7Sf/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_114431425.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direct hit, command panther lost... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguefxfQEGaxltETsWzvJv1oS51GeQdvvfPd5kG-CGbmZf17vvqMhIIu0MIYdJgz4GI-oO_sVzPPjp2uHN_hM5Crk_2dxvWdznAxwhV02iXpg0FHhV_NAvGoV3Aiaz1azoQCn13lc5wUxYoXAy3pUaHMM9Q1T00LdqsyjnImXCvc6r8WChTu0c8R5XHPoy8/s624/IMG_20231028_114456848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguefxfQEGaxltETsWzvJv1oS51GeQdvvfPd5kG-CGbmZf17vvqMhIIu0MIYdJgz4GI-oO_sVzPPjp2uHN_hM5Crk_2dxvWdznAxwhV02iXpg0FHhV_NAvGoV3Aiaz1azoQCn13lc5wUxYoXAy3pUaHMM9Q1T00LdqsyjnImXCvc6r8WChTu0c8R5XHPoy8/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_114456848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Ivan, through the 150mm artillery strike, 2 pressed on. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dUbeQlaF096fqu7-iB12-WRkYTZxip7Ou3Xow5T_bmzPYVLAT46VebDB6MBFO9mS6bP-ZdOrEnUdICqUivdnp-XOIahvWlkRVpAC_11NSyNhXQL5N2eX_6fsCE7EOXsXu_T025uTo56uJZ5ft6v-lBTemXjPZ147YQ5ZTYvvpWgKKWYNBdHkKiMaXqrj/s624/IMG_20231028_114503249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dUbeQlaF096fqu7-iB12-WRkYTZxip7Ou3Xow5T_bmzPYVLAT46VebDB6MBFO9mS6bP-ZdOrEnUdICqUivdnp-XOIahvWlkRVpAC_11NSyNhXQL5N2eX_6fsCE7EOXsXu_T025uTo56uJZ5ft6v-lBTemXjPZ147YQ5ZTYvvpWgKKWYNBdHkKiMaXqrj/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_114503249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">250/9 facing them from the hillock (also an objective). Pop-gun fire won't stop them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rnWzSE7oalJH4nBfJbUh44Rc_xnzndk7u5vGUeapJBnYtHgseeWzeIRKx0MoT67YpmMnbgaO4KMwnznu_Kr0h1iDZKzH-n6Z0WxMd80VGieEjQbeInPdmYLQLmyz3Ujc7Nb6gahwrouVswAvSsb69-hRyViwejAmXByE4HggkPKBqaCDyJshCMx7KWuG/s624/IMG_20231028_114512338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rnWzSE7oalJH4nBfJbUh44Rc_xnzndk7u5vGUeapJBnYtHgseeWzeIRKx0MoT67YpmMnbgaO4KMwnznu_Kr0h1iDZKzH-n6Z0WxMd80VGieEjQbeInPdmYLQLmyz3Ujc7Nb6gahwrouVswAvSsb69-hRyViwejAmXByE4HggkPKBqaCDyJshCMx7KWuG/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_114512338.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But these guys will... Panthers, panzer ace 351, and tank riders. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvPwmPIfFD8kHai2wXr7B0OfmlcbZ9WU8jwDcnM0lrGDN2WpH-mV_zW2Uem46sIOOyepfiE2NQ10UmINS6zumRFCx7llcaoeam1QdQTk7O6GCqkIsyN-ITyaSchDBKFGMZcMnUssucAnuxxNRhI3ZU-gRA9efq44bTiQ4PaUOrdmoFCkzlfL1qfYw5zJe/s624/IMG_20231028_120801090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvPwmPIfFD8kHai2wXr7B0OfmlcbZ9WU8jwDcnM0lrGDN2WpH-mV_zW2Uem46sIOOyepfiE2NQ10UmINS6zumRFCx7llcaoeam1QdQTk7O6GCqkIsyN-ITyaSchDBKFGMZcMnUssucAnuxxNRhI3ZU-gRA9efq44bTiQ4PaUOrdmoFCkzlfL1qfYw5zJe/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_120801090.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reach the hill, and the infantry dismount. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Xq7Jw6LWCKCnSVnSksH6_5Hpo8t2hPx2cfjIniK957uAAu9tHdIXE3fsq9v4P21S3JcsRyu1w61OJw8gKxJOsCQBildjjpUOxOWnTfAIjxyLtmGUYdcLusGLRz2BZGuUR2VAZ1YgaoNGyGrPWz1EXhY6wEjLWvQxoQe9A_1695mKDmf39XxvsbtyONcu/s624/IMG_20231028_120813187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Xq7Jw6LWCKCnSVnSksH6_5Hpo8t2hPx2cfjIniK957uAAu9tHdIXE3fsq9v4P21S3JcsRyu1w61OJw8gKxJOsCQBildjjpUOxOWnTfAIjxyLtmGUYdcLusGLRz2BZGuUR2VAZ1YgaoNGyGrPWz1EXhY6wEjLWvQxoQe9A_1695mKDmf39XxvsbtyONcu/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_120813187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummels doing good work, pounding the road and getting a truck, pinning, and later getting that T-34 as well... it bottled the charge when the Panthers appeared... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdk5WjV1KG2S7s7q0xj7gM9k6uNinw7yd6BQaVTl4r1vwqB74F46upg16qdAOkx8Hw4JBL1dczJYAAjve-VCjfHn81o3Um_wGRV4tuc3MssFNMzH8J2QxxAKg_Bqg4bVOlUsLBIr2DRkuym_bJY6hNroBf5k9LZpB5TW5hAVeSkrJoVCblTQAb077ab1D/s624/IMG_20231028_120819378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdk5WjV1KG2S7s7q0xj7gM9k6uNinw7yd6BQaVTl4r1vwqB74F46upg16qdAOkx8Hw4JBL1dczJYAAjve-VCjfHn81o3Um_wGRV4tuc3MssFNMzH8J2QxxAKg_Bqg4bVOlUsLBIr2DRkuym_bJY6hNroBf5k9LZpB5TW5hAVeSkrJoVCblTQAb077ab1D/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_120819378.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big zerboi's...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOco-as8JS6QEFsXALTNq5Uf6bVDaLdfl8P_oXZx0pS1RzAlRWPMQpXXmaCSZw7p7B2o3s5d8ax8waj3A2nX9p7ojmmYgI2ty5qZ76Yr_MONsoPD7QilrSg2rmPD9TEDVgEgfrgWkbf2EBV70IGKg_EcU4a16ZYi90dk4O8NiXAGudN1JmJAYMH4pPMwMX/s624/IMG_20231028_120828142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOco-as8JS6QEFsXALTNq5Uf6bVDaLdfl8P_oXZx0pS1RzAlRWPMQpXXmaCSZw7p7B2o3s5d8ax8waj3A2nX9p7ojmmYgI2ty5qZ76Yr_MONsoPD7QilrSg2rmPD9TEDVgEgfrgWkbf2EBV70IGKg_EcU4a16ZYi90dk4O8NiXAGudN1JmJAYMH4pPMwMX/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_120828142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the hunt for reckless T-34s<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8201wAPx5vAaBKUiMrRU2y3y1eoTTFQIqmnJoCfIOtq_RNOylHsMBkGbUP3YOPpPHlevse_z1NwORZcO-qFziGiifFdGejkT2Syrhyphenhyphen8Y3JWy1QVgowu1EczSGbkxLuWGxmf1Xz38GNMlW34xavhp8xZ2sMjnGBv82FVym-Lwd4lcT-e2MB7s0HKPECZyB/s624/IMG_20231028_121839534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8201wAPx5vAaBKUiMrRU2y3y1eoTTFQIqmnJoCfIOtq_RNOylHsMBkGbUP3YOPpPHlevse_z1NwORZcO-qFziGiifFdGejkT2Syrhyphenhyphen8Y3JWy1QVgowu1EczSGbkxLuWGxmf1Xz38GNMlW34xavhp8xZ2sMjnGBv82FVym-Lwd4lcT-e2MB7s0HKPECZyB/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_121839534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They almost have the hillock, but the German fight back would be swift and lethal. A bold effort early doors and very distruptive (and very Russian). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYOglGM3NDLKUoYleRl_j6fKI3BHfLc7W23DUAC2XD9U5UCZokNCOQJ_r1HK8XNIMXWExj2gE1qiXm4rfT-dVTevVlEV-Dc8cgphhBdQaXX6jq6f4F_Q_pyPCdsPfn4bGNJI5imKaP0W2oKg_S_XZYbmyCcITrwKoT_TJTC6TWh_fWSiFgWkVL5AUQmmk/s624/IMG_20231028_121900684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYOglGM3NDLKUoYleRl_j6fKI3BHfLc7W23DUAC2XD9U5UCZokNCOQJ_r1HK8XNIMXWExj2gE1qiXm4rfT-dVTevVlEV-Dc8cgphhBdQaXX6jq6f4F_Q_pyPCdsPfn4bGNJI5imKaP0W2oKg_S_XZYbmyCcITrwKoT_TJTC6TWh_fWSiFgWkVL5AUQmmk/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_121900684.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inferno of mortar and direct HE fire on the road, much pinning. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJxx3IOuuqScBV9lbUkic_NUXLUNEzJtOFUuyw_-WLzGgFyRV8iiY_iQgbK-aHWa5BwQKyIzqiRkJhDxSB-B_ajbffudCRceqfGssZLhLkAUKRPy9AceRUmSCNIHPQg3VdCNQC_Op4HNByhd7nkbtoq17gTpS1YhuTIbO6mJ1oDgY5LrdCWqBx-MHVILf/s624/IMG_20231028_124234862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJxx3IOuuqScBV9lbUkic_NUXLUNEzJtOFUuyw_-WLzGgFyRV8iiY_iQgbK-aHWa5BwQKyIzqiRkJhDxSB-B_ajbffudCRceqfGssZLhLkAUKRPy9AceRUmSCNIHPQg3VdCNQC_Op4HNByhd7nkbtoq17gTpS1YhuTIbO6mJ1oDgY5LrdCWqBx-MHVILf/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_124234862.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummels finishes them off... recce HQ earn their keep. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGyOobLc7-GgSffNqM2YwCheoZyGmHrc6HZt6_axsdhvQVRzb3TDiupxedRhErBOLQmp6p1JN8qFsd1vxfHYzHjRdpho5eFOelsggHAqy8zgH99MM1tcD6GZcUebpF3ZqMeRVqfmhsz70Ri3ThPK7RRAwx8EbEOwdBbVFZ32c0aIjY866PYOu6bgSMztv/s624/IMG_20231028_124242072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGyOobLc7-GgSffNqM2YwCheoZyGmHrc6HZt6_axsdhvQVRzb3TDiupxedRhErBOLQmp6p1JN8qFsd1vxfHYzHjRdpho5eFOelsggHAqy8zgH99MM1tcD6GZcUebpF3ZqMeRVqfmhsz70Ri3ThPK7RRAwx8EbEOwdBbVFZ32c0aIjY866PYOu6bgSMztv/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_124242072.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnage at the end of the 'crazy ivan' charge... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PJiHXWlCpvYuvsiIkBy71Zz6-ZhsChp4zfoyvf2d1Z4tAHB_xmmHSeO6I_hHgip-6WjRrCEzbRSRaPtcGgiI9k7SG38gwlJuFa3A0YTJdGs5EZu7afiNZBAnoETJfhVRrxRHhQl-L31o8prwYpOF9rDB7GQBiYFpGHIm5KGz8cYu6onlkM8ebmfLxx6t/s624/IMG_20231028_124254243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PJiHXWlCpvYuvsiIkBy71Zz6-ZhsChp4zfoyvf2d1Z4tAHB_xmmHSeO6I_hHgip-6WjRrCEzbRSRaPtcGgiI9k7SG38gwlJuFa3A0YTJdGs5EZu7afiNZBAnoETJfhVRrxRHhQl-L31o8prwYpOF9rDB7GQBiYFpGHIm5KGz8cYu6onlkM8ebmfLxx6t/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_124254243.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG team face down the last T-34, err, where is the squad panzerfaust? (it fired and missed)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK20tNVGYr8G34aICr75_tcFCo1njBoSw-NXutM94ZlqZVNUC3cdc0AUmvrhyvLc09G2wcX9xGh8bgqbs4lNHLSgB-lkBpdREDb1NTuh9p9u2PDDfmFzuTyKWUI0q5O2Z6fIHCOPAonyAUoYV_XlnmiVKxxDDsh-IjyVi01OAf8Qzv5NHapzYRXv5RRtIq/s624/IMG_20231028_124355414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK20tNVGYr8G34aICr75_tcFCo1njBoSw-NXutM94ZlqZVNUC3cdc0AUmvrhyvLc09G2wcX9xGh8bgqbs4lNHLSgB-lkBpdREDb1NTuh9p9u2PDDfmFzuTyKWUI0q5O2Z6fIHCOPAonyAUoYV_XlnmiVKxxDDsh-IjyVi01OAf8Qzv5NHapzYRXv5RRtIq/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_124355414.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, in relative safety, aid post and radio van are busy. The Air Attack didn't show this time. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7jKVa8nqEvLkshmD7-H5PWT8dX-Ek7FKDP5qr6HrALXuhx3HZlpz17Ahd3cft5ffWOQm_NFZW2y6HcALuXmdyp_62ssFIb1SmqKwxHSEmmPqPjHy-6tKmq5Bxq-I3CUMMtpQr2gUjCmjX4J1VUBUPU2GCRvkWc49PipYNOXgo-PG5c7mUab2frvtTa68/s624/IMG_20231028_135511821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7jKVa8nqEvLkshmD7-H5PWT8dX-Ek7FKDP5qr6HrALXuhx3HZlpz17Ahd3cft5ffWOQm_NFZW2y6HcALuXmdyp_62ssFIb1SmqKwxHSEmmPqPjHy-6tKmq5Bxq-I3CUMMtpQr2gUjCmjX4J1VUBUPU2GCRvkWc49PipYNOXgo-PG5c7mUab2frvtTa68/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_135511821.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzer Ace on his way to deal with that T-34, and he did. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zyqv36LJwdgNu735T3HxJ0l45dFUjk6SHMKDX6CrZp49vSdf-e_NNXyY4RDOfRAA_YFKscOzuPIWk9Dwn6042NI7dg8OYcT5U1u9lGSqzxyd0ptutYs0yd0BQTJjkBDPTndYTfFCa3_591_X5AwOQiuKmxqce5okntzdmcVf34iwJ6RiNVD1-RzS6fkX/s624/IMG_20231028_135524848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zyqv36LJwdgNu735T3HxJ0l45dFUjk6SHMKDX6CrZp49vSdf-e_NNXyY4RDOfRAA_YFKscOzuPIWk9Dwn6042NI7dg8OYcT5U1u9lGSqzxyd0ptutYs0yd0BQTJjkBDPTndYTfFCa3_591_X5AwOQiuKmxqce5okntzdmcVf34iwJ6RiNVD1-RzS6fkX/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_135524848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More armour and riding infantry moves up behind. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht0hcoNKRQoZHuyLEKKDp4hW_yZvUWI_sHWWuypbDIZoDkJt0hXzmgOuhMK4EihzlkVv0Zd-KVc4ureg3sKfIeYTtC82l2ms7929JvD8ceM30K2x1CXb5aqzXiOXvGn1HryFqA8ZQ5Q3TfEjZw2OSA7BwFvQxo6-YPms-vH7Jy3kbIciFbY62uGT84dbv/s624/IMG_20231028_140235758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht0hcoNKRQoZHuyLEKKDp4hW_yZvUWI_sHWWuypbDIZoDkJt0hXzmgOuhMK4EihzlkVv0Zd-KVc4ureg3sKfIeYTtC82l2ms7929JvD8ceM30K2x1CXb5aqzXiOXvGn1HryFqA8ZQ5Q3TfEjZw2OSA7BwFvQxo6-YPms-vH7Jy3kbIciFbY62uGT84dbv/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_140235758.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And suddenly, the queen of the battlefield speaks, a big 152mm stonk, two burning Panthers, and big trouble for the Germans. Boom, boom, boom!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzjhyphenhyphen-KyoDuTJhXWZ3Ntz95xxJxRhyHNh9gtOHgBLmp6lb6DmTqjMQDBePKykhTgMAHzUpeL4xUm7g3cPeijavgKn96h0J2WNmUWUKzHud9pwWDYzoPS6bk-hYxTc6pQ_KOzfWp_khK3z_zInkgf4b_3xbY6_2eqkwa28tTEJoZT9Q8ycaIsTJhdRMtRx/s624/IMG_20231028_143311270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzjhyphenhyphen-KyoDuTJhXWZ3Ntz95xxJxRhyHNh9gtOHgBLmp6lb6DmTqjMQDBePKykhTgMAHzUpeL4xUm7g3cPeijavgKn96h0J2WNmUWUKzHud9pwWDYzoPS6bk-hYxTc6pQ_KOzfWp_khK3z_zInkgf4b_3xbY6_2eqkwa28tTEJoZT9Q8ycaIsTJhdRMtRx/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_143311270.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Russian second attack starts, armour first. Here they come! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2piwy_xprSsygmUYl4yaxIVtdCaukJhPLvMFri6on1tamvuFrlbyXulgY45A63I-Npdg-9-uM7-mujs7wXGycMjK4nuftbfMnc1ASBwjmom5Wn2K26qfis_SBRIAZ25KcyuCnT4J1jHGfTvlz8dFDdDK3oW-LhAUjV9InzVNZFASlcTNQFUp0zwPeWUy/s624/IMG_20231028_143321675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2piwy_xprSsygmUYl4yaxIVtdCaukJhPLvMFri6on1tamvuFrlbyXulgY45A63I-Npdg-9-uM7-mujs7wXGycMjK4nuftbfMnc1ASBwjmom5Wn2K26qfis_SBRIAZ25KcyuCnT4J1jHGfTvlz8dFDdDK3oW-LhAUjV9InzVNZFASlcTNQFUp0zwPeWUy/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_143321675.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jagdpanzer IV aims, hits, glances off... prepare the panzerfausts... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SEjD5o2Tz7dxn9glahgCzlo6-iGdeyoOomXGxQoPdnvwZ4QnfpcFSfcertgX1pd_LM4sZ335EKyCDboJZcpyHTJBcQ5cjkBskRI0fAebe6YZmr4sartYWiiRI91RbLZy30Bb9WTWT3jMj5RJC41Vui7LUWjTVPgsnfjdirjJtnKKV3I4lXMhph3yiyOA/s624/IMG_20231028_151122692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SEjD5o2Tz7dxn9glahgCzlo6-iGdeyoOomXGxQoPdnvwZ4QnfpcFSfcertgX1pd_LM4sZ335EKyCDboJZcpyHTJBcQ5cjkBskRI0fAebe6YZmr4sartYWiiRI91RbLZy30Bb9WTWT3jMj5RJC41Vui7LUWjTVPgsnfjdirjJtnKKV3I4lXMhph3yiyOA/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_151122692.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road under intense pressure as the SU-152s get up close and it gets messy. That squad took a direct hit and was wiped out. Thank god they only have 3 shots... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiFnhn5HaU667N7bz-pZ8_J-cNnkOVjfONwkR0J8Z4DXrb7QtZqNqnVGQM9Dgv5iM4kEiWPfmI6pJzShaLiU3IXYTUOI5KX_w7VU_JNafTk9Kpimbz1UNk8YEfN-VsL0AwjPgpos7qsu9LkzP4798sUiXd46206OZpjTMxTATMvtL_cBdul91avflPmls/s624/IMG_20231028_151141011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiFnhn5HaU667N7bz-pZ8_J-cNnkOVjfONwkR0J8Z4DXrb7QtZqNqnVGQM9Dgv5iM4kEiWPfmI6pJzShaLiU3IXYTUOI5KX_w7VU_JNafTk9Kpimbz1UNk8YEfN-VsL0AwjPgpos7qsu9LkzP4798sUiXd46206OZpjTMxTATMvtL_cBdul91avflPmls/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_151141011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heroics with a panzerfaust... eat this! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttLRdsTiEAjlpN23MepptLadFKMGCzCZjt5wkkPQw9VLufnk7gECgbhLm6qipWxwGF3vuScW1FBYz97qCGwmC6OSo27oYf4YrMhknqPxDHhTt-5uK8INrFIHEggX2mvd4pYjmv7BvSj8ysfZdJHPB6CK8803GwiwqvjWhR8sVimPAplABjlZuymFefy08/s624/IMG_20231028_154555893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttLRdsTiEAjlpN23MepptLadFKMGCzCZjt5wkkPQw9VLufnk7gECgbhLm6qipWxwGF3vuScW1FBYz97qCGwmC6OSo27oYf4YrMhknqPxDHhTt-5uK8INrFIHEggX2mvd4pYjmv7BvSj8ysfZdJHPB6CK8803GwiwqvjWhR8sVimPAplABjlZuymFefy08/w400-h300/IMG_20231028_154555893.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assault engineers get across the road into the marsh, and then move up to toast a 250/1... end game. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-1549690587341667842023-10-13T06:02:00.001-07:002023-10-13T06:02:37.107-07:00Convoy Ambush – Belorussia '44, with Battlegroup Bagration<p> It is not often we play a smaller, squad-level, Battlegroup game,and for once, this would be an infantry fight, with partisan forces ambushing a supply convoy. Ambushes are tough scenarios to recreate, because the advantages stack up to the point were the side being attacked stand little real chance, and that doesn’t really make for a fun game. Anyway, maybe Battlegroup can do it a bit better and make a game of it – this was a test to find out.<br /><br />My small partisan band consisted of a small inexperienced platoon, supported by a HMG team, light mortar and anti-tank gun, with support from two on-table 82mm mortars, a parachute rifle squad and long range scout team providing spotting and comms, oh, and a sniper (bit of a star) and the 3 man HQ, that was it.<br /><br />Defending their convoy’s trucks and wagons, the Germans had a security platoon (auxiliaries) and a police platoon, along with an old captured T-26 employed as a convoy guard, a 20mm flak truck (got repeatedly pinned and never got a shot off) and a few support weapons, a light mortar and a dangerous HMG team. They also had their 3 man HQ in his little car. No artillery support except two low priority requests.<br /><br />We set up, the Germans along the road in the centre and around the central farm, partisans on three sides, with lots of ambush fire ready, and we were ready to go… <br /><br />First up, a rude shock on now few orders you get on a D6 (+2 for partisans, +4 for convoy guards). The Russian started by dropping mortars around the road, with some pinning but no direct hits, and settled for placing some more ambush fire, to wait the German response. It came as they moved away from the road, deploying their MG teams to the front and sides whilst the security troops moved into the woods on the left and right (and didn’t pin themselves). The T-26 clattered forwards, off road, only to take a direct 82mm mortar hit and be KO’d… so much for the armour in this game. <br /><br />Now, after a cagey (slow, lack of orders start, the firefight began. Germans came under heavy suppressing fire from the DshK team (with lazy loaders) and rifles, and more mortars. Pinning mounted (and one security squad panicked and pinned themselves). So far the convoy trucks hadn’t moved to escape, but the exit was covered by my AT gun on ambush fire, if they made a dash for the board edge (rounding the felled tree road block), then it would use HE to pin them, leaving them easy prey for the small arms (that was the plan). The fire developed, my para’s moved into the large woods, but faced a lot of German coming the other way. They went solid onto ambush fire to wait, but the Germans were cautious too and held back, also on ambush, stalemate, and both left it at that, waiting the other to try to move and get hosed down. Meanwhile, his light mortar team was doing good (annoying) work pinning one of my mortars, which made life back on the road a bit easier. The partisan mortars had ‘direct lay’ rule, so they could spot for themselves, and this proved handy in saving an order. By the end of turn 4, the Germans had 9 units pinned and so took 2 counters to remove it, and rolled badly too. These security troops were shakey. <br /><br />With lost of small teams, I was trying to be careful about exposing them to German MG-34 fire (his police platoon had been upgraded to have these), but they were struggling to spot. Also, his commander couldn’t get his artillery cover to respond… he was left to fight it out with what he had. Still, one partisan squad had been wiped out by MG fire and my mortar’s loader teams had absorbed damage too. The trucks on the road finally started to move out, rounding the felled tree, but the lead one got a Breakdown counter played on and was KO’d… trashing it off-road. Another truck was pinned by long range DshK fire… meanwhile, my sniper scored a kill, and pinned his HMG team (set-up in the farm’s pig pen). German reinforcements had now arrive, an ‘alarm’ squad in their truck and they deployed, spotted my light mortar team lurking by the stream (and trying to hit their truck) and shot them dead. This left only my FHQ unit to stop them, so they took up their small arms and got into a firefight, which they lost, costing me 2 counters. Ouch! Still, stopped me using tactical-co-ordination… twice using it and failing (2 counters for nothing). <br /><br />I was close to my 26 BR break point (25 in fact), the next counter would likely end it. But the German’s counter stack was a bit bigger, they must be close. They had done a lot of unpinning through the turns. So it turned out, when a police squad was shot down by my partisans and sniper (2nd kill) then a security squad, pinned, was shot up by another partisan squad and ran, those 2 counters were a 4 and 5… eek! That 9 BR sent the Germans over their 30 BR by 1, unlucky. The Germans fell back, saving what they could of the convoy, but it wouldn't be getting through today. A very narrow win for the ambushers, and really good, close, game… we played for 2.5 hours and with just infantry (and 1 tank) it was blast. <br /><br />My mortars had done good work, and the DshK had too, raking along the road with fire (loader team needs to but in better effort though - probably drunk!). Interesting forces, with poor infantry fighting poor infantry. I can see us playing a partisan vs security forces narrative mini-campaign… a series of games behind the front lines, with parachuted in reinforcements, raids on depots and then a German sweep to clear those partisans out. Who needs loads of tank?</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jaIjd3CZvi4Fml8iJjSE9x-tUN7FBl1Vegqbt7GIQZ3rFm-3VeFNkDqx5v53-n3bewcZx8DREyGQhxUwgBvqIY-rvMXh1z7Bp0mRmRF0bGwsSt4-tvwtQzqjqxRWIgAipXiBv5HAUbI9Mg94ulQG7idch-1J9a9n_DyZgvZIU-nEftV6E6_O9szxE6z3/s624/IMG_20231012_102146522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jaIjd3CZvi4Fml8iJjSE9x-tUN7FBl1Vegqbt7GIQZ3rFm-3VeFNkDqx5v53-n3bewcZx8DREyGQhxUwgBvqIY-rvMXh1z7Bp0mRmRF0bGwsSt4-tvwtQzqjqxRWIgAipXiBv5HAUbI9Mg94ulQG7idch-1J9a9n_DyZgvZIU-nEftV6E6_O9szxE6z3/w300-h400/IMG_20231012_102146522.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 x 4 battlefield, Germans along the central road, Russian ahead and left and right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM9mUCQjyMJyXASv1fkUbBIy8b73pPiVd7qL6XQ9RmX2V-3KwVHeDTy6BcaEhYRTW2WhYdqgrV2BMQd2VCTu5V8ljbdvf8XabuS5QIKG8sR16UZdGEAXTv-OY0KTcn0vLAQGC4banGtsz8CoTMdWoUO06c2NapCBYuZajMSPVovow-nQYTwM7OwVxDUGu/s624/IMG_20231012_102152490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM9mUCQjyMJyXASv1fkUbBIy8b73pPiVd7qL6XQ9RmX2V-3KwVHeDTy6BcaEhYRTW2WhYdqgrV2BMQd2VCTu5V8ljbdvf8XabuS5QIKG8sR16UZdGEAXTv-OY0KTcn0vLAQGC4banGtsz8CoTMdWoUO06c2NapCBYuZajMSPVovow-nQYTwM7OwVxDUGu/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_102152490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having felled a tree, the partisans wait for their prey. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zTwyQ2aWzh0ujpYwKigJh-HQGSPpZa8MDUwmc9eLjhhBm4Vsu0RZff9sgFHOUxl_CedI8yu3Zz4rv_T7O3ObOFJRhZqBQJmlPfyqPPG1dArWcrydmzWeuBsX8DcxiODRI8nG1L9D9h7kksFpWE6O1Vt3vbWdUtXkhDDvKgOrL-C1t3YY2nOAJ543Xf8p/s624/IMG_20231012_113205357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zTwyQ2aWzh0ujpYwKigJh-HQGSPpZa8MDUwmc9eLjhhBm4Vsu0RZff9sgFHOUxl_CedI8yu3Zz4rv_T7O3ObOFJRhZqBQJmlPfyqPPG1dArWcrydmzWeuBsX8DcxiODRI8nG1L9D9h7kksFpWE6O1Vt3vbWdUtXkhDDvKgOrL-C1t3YY2nOAJ543Xf8p/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_113205357.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are, a line of trucks and wagons, the security troops deploying left and right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdTFb38nK-G6B7_BPWEmA_GB2JuoMglApxZN21fpk23kAq4TTvWuDKqAb9t96iWkmxLWCwOPHtOjRU1V5PlMWmbyoLy_GucZdmM6FiSQUi8NJT_wEjcpQ5r1E3IC-9b2kIpnM06ySv-CpkPucShHvm8Tt1wUFaiUHGeS_EpILnycnJNLl1lQ7PAddwJcu/s624/IMG_20231012_113212001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdTFb38nK-G6B7_BPWEmA_GB2JuoMglApxZN21fpk23kAq4TTvWuDKqAb9t96iWkmxLWCwOPHtOjRU1V5PlMWmbyoLy_GucZdmM6FiSQUi8NJT_wEjcpQ5r1E3IC-9b2kIpnM06ySv-CpkPucShHvm8Tt1wUFaiUHGeS_EpILnycnJNLl1lQ7PAddwJcu/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_113212001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 82mm mortars with direct line of sight to the road. Loaders team ready with the bombs... hammer them! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheRiLZc3CEI7Kas6bZKVtZIExe-4EuBIzPGJlvrOpBO0zf_xD7_NIFHfC_dKvA6WbytzAtx7GRrHyFP6Vl_1BA3QMvppztq2eIq4TQEH2aP7IHLCxg-i9_0XIVvPDyo2NTLj-BzaUuxk63DhDFRHGAaHoqx1QDKxU5-s82imtuTQBWW2UZ7T2Vna_OMk4/s624/IMG_20231012_113219731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheRiLZc3CEI7Kas6bZKVtZIExe-4EuBIzPGJlvrOpBO0zf_xD7_NIFHfC_dKvA6WbytzAtx7GRrHyFP6Vl_1BA3QMvppztq2eIq4TQEH2aP7IHLCxg-i9_0XIVvPDyo2NTLj-BzaUuxk63DhDFRHGAaHoqx1QDKxU5-s82imtuTQBWW2UZ7T2Vna_OMk4/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_113219731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AT gun waits behind a hillock, covering the road exit, if a truck shows itself, they getting HE to pin it. Will they risk the gauntlet? On the end, no... so it did its job without firing a shot. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb7zmoNzcQgbWBrXzfifIu5NdsrDTnJpf_Am5zdVdeMzlgXwY6qd65ThzBNXUU1R9GZXH5WvSlg05SDF0-2U0PT0geVLdOZnif3BwKS7nX-uElYAQnMu5uW3qESZ7fRIGqqb9utaXsF1vgPOigua1hU2gEuE_jyfe3rcU1mUl7BLRPb_i0LueaEs54Rum/s624/IMG_20231012_121025357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb7zmoNzcQgbWBrXzfifIu5NdsrDTnJpf_Am5zdVdeMzlgXwY6qd65ThzBNXUU1R9GZXH5WvSlg05SDF0-2U0PT0geVLdOZnif3BwKS7nX-uElYAQnMu5uW3qESZ7fRIGqqb9utaXsF1vgPOigua1hU2gEuE_jyfe3rcU1mUl7BLRPb_i0LueaEs54Rum/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_121025357.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mortaring gets the T-26 as the security troops at the rear run for the trees. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0KLh4TKzc6_mOO_6cMmmjVRUkzEiGP4MvuSAE41j4XP-MHajoYftKaGIW6R9rLDDBZ9qDj4J9RWMVFvGhHCD6jUUW9ATEm1TT9lgCTHWDyb0RA_vYWx395Hu1MSkcrY5uogMqtg-qJpgz7Vm8eLJQfoz7xwNR1piParjIjlkan7wdPK2i-CTvagz9RnV/s624/IMG_20231012_121035404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0KLh4TKzc6_mOO_6cMmmjVRUkzEiGP4MvuSAE41j4XP-MHajoYftKaGIW6R9rLDDBZ9qDj4J9RWMVFvGhHCD6jUUW9ATEm1TT9lgCTHWDyb0RA_vYWx395Hu1MSkcrY5uogMqtg-qJpgz7Vm8eLJQfoz7xwNR1piParjIjlkan7wdPK2i-CTvagz9RnV/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_121035404.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parachute infantry creep through the woods towards the farm, but halt with Germans ahead. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHOoVKt4qN0f-Qm20f8QiHgr7mXyO17PlrXT-rz6wT6srylmCXacso0022JkL1riJNtvPEIbW1JX34CQyH4BcvX7-4GfIeDwdZTEzDzW2pub3hCywOLs1OV6ew_2oHWlkfbPbOfwU9SGiIuldeMGLGVwRaYVr5UBGeWbi4StcYbR5VuZLdRh5lvQ6Orxi/s624/IMG_20231012_130953114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHOoVKt4qN0f-Qm20f8QiHgr7mXyO17PlrXT-rz6wT6srylmCXacso0022JkL1riJNtvPEIbW1JX34CQyH4BcvX7-4GfIeDwdZTEzDzW2pub3hCywOLs1OV6ew_2oHWlkfbPbOfwU9SGiIuldeMGLGVwRaYVr5UBGeWbi4StcYbR5VuZLdRh5lvQ6Orxi/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_130953114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The convoy's lead truck breaks down, leaving only 1 to risk the AT gun... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRJvgGfLWmmaCXBb84RSFKmCZYCl9-Z0n0uJx8ipAlwcfuTwsO2KuM7ERo49d-9vFi7GXR-eg8FcyK80jzySM-fmsjhudVZQ60gKTfWodpFiQ4otwbCcrgQn0jX0YqOmEirADevf_bNl7Q01QAa0SPDb8WLbZecDiHyqDXgPNQnZ37lW4nUJTWMFgRKDV/s624/IMG_20231012_130934392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRJvgGfLWmmaCXBb84RSFKmCZYCl9-Z0n0uJx8ipAlwcfuTwsO2KuM7ERo49d-9vFi7GXR-eg8FcyK80jzySM-fmsjhudVZQ60gKTfWodpFiQ4otwbCcrgQn0jX0YqOmEirADevf_bNl7Q01QAa0SPDb8WLbZecDiHyqDXgPNQnZ37lW4nUJTWMFgRKDV/w400-h300/IMG_20231012_130934392.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reserve Alarm squad deploy and take out the partisan's light mortar and their HQ... pushing the attackers to the brink of breaking. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /> </p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-425741693129759892023-09-17T09:49:00.001-07:002023-09-17T10:02:19.703-07:00The Plains of Al Qa'lat, with Soldiers of God<p>This was a pick-up game, a one-off large field battle with 'Soldiers of God' rules. The terrain was randomly generated, and we got one piece, which was rocks - wow!. So a flat open plain, a few rocks, but nothing to impede either side's cavalry. The bare desert plains of Al Qa'lat. <br /><br />The Crusaders had picked to 'Advance and Harry' as a battle plan, with his main strike force in the centre, Knights, Holy Order Knights and some supporting infantry (and armed monks). Their left was turocople horse archers, with foot archers and some armed peasants and a small catapult. It was largely deployed in skirmisher formation. Their right flank was men-at-arms, crossbows and a unit of dismounted knights (didn't spot them too late), a solid infantry block to hold the line here.<br /><br />This would face my Saracens, having picked a left echelon attack plan. I had changed up my usual horse-archer heavy list and attack plan, using lots of skirmishers on the flanks to win the battle with archer, to go for a heavy cavalry attack from my left, four units of ghulam, led by the elite Al-Halqa guard cavalry and with single supporting unit of horse archers (that might try a sneaky flank ride). This was my strike force. The centre was a lot of infantry, nine units, ahdath levy screening out front (sacrificial), backed by better Sudanese mercenaries, mujahideen fanatics and the Al-Halqa infantry, with more cheap, poor infantry in support behind them. This would have to absorb the crusader's central attack, hopefully they had the depth to. My right flank was weak, archers and Arab tribal warriors, all skirmishing with javelins. They would hold and harass, take on those dangerous turcopoles in a missile duel. Still, I looked out-shot and out-manoeuvred, it would be tough here. <br /><br />Deployment complete, my plan simple, smash in with the cavalry. Try to get his knights into the ‘swamp’ of my infantry and tie them up killing low value troops, whilst I hit hard and overrunning his right. After deployment, I slightly altered that, my Al-Halqa could easily intercept his Holy Order Knights, a mega-clash of elite heavy cavalry, which was my best chance of defeating these tough Christian fanatics. The cavalry would angle into the centre and go head to head - that would be epic. This would be the main point of attack, the other ghulam cavalry on the left would now by a diversion/holding force against his right, just stop them getting involved. <br /><br />Time to go. ‘For Allah! Death to the Infidel’. Cards were dealt and the Saracens would play first. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXdsxiB_2sZW8Z-DBB_2or4RkePWDTtkLn0tJ4QunOv0PD68GI2Jeor9Eg88MXTEvvnPwPh6GXj1x0qBHRsrWMX4aO-eV-jyePeH7HWB0tGsfX5GxPCbkGKrfOCu9IByBIPmr7PAvJYqPka1NOotpyS7eX329Hzc0JP0AuRt_5S9usKebdR4Ti5w5TrN2/s624/IMG_20230915_112608914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXdsxiB_2sZW8Z-DBB_2or4RkePWDTtkLn0tJ4QunOv0PD68GI2Jeor9Eg88MXTEvvnPwPh6GXj1x0qBHRsrWMX4aO-eV-jyePeH7HWB0tGsfX5GxPCbkGKrfOCu9IByBIPmr7PAvJYqPka1NOotpyS7eX329Hzc0JP0AuRt_5S9usKebdR4Ti5w5TrN2/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_112608914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both side's plans, and how it actually went, with some to-ing and fro-ing. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />As the cards were played, the Crusaders made the first advances, the turcopoles charging forward at the gallop to get into range and start the archery duel. The centre also advanced. My right flank was instantly under pressure, as the turcopoles rode in, loosed and fell back – a strange reversal of usual form that (but turcopoles are very handy troops too often ignored by the crusaders). My mountain tribe infantry countered by rushing after them and unleashed a javelin volley. It had started, neither keen to get into melee, all being largely a bit rubbish at it. <br /><br />This is the were the fight would be in the first turns, as my cavalry moved up and the crusaders largely stalled in the centre, lacking cards to get going. It wouldn’t be long until the fight was joined as my al-halqa cavalry closed in on the knights hospitaller. <br /><br />They got the charge and battle was joined, and I swung another following ghulam unit round to come in from the flank, now the knightly order were pinned in the place, a gang-up of 3 unit against his 2 (the armed monks behind would support his knights, until, being mere levy, they panicked and broke on a 'levy panic'). Meanwhile, on my right, the incoming archery was hurting and had to rally, and expend cards to keep my archers in the fight. I couldn’t afford to go under quickly here, because the centre would need time to win their fight against the toughest opponents. On the far left, the ghulam moved up to threaten his static infantry, I wasn’t sure if I needed to charge in here, or just hold in place (out of crossbow range, obviously). <br /><br />The melee between the big boys was even, I got a slight advantage, but a rally saw the hospitallers easily safe. It would require lots of work (and cards) here to force the win, or might just be a stalemate, in which case, I was in trouble. <br /><br />Over the next turns, both sides inflicted some more pain, turcopoles routed an ahdath levy unit with a single volley and began peppering the Sudanese infantry behind. My archers returned fire and the after moving up, forced the horse archers to quickly withdraw back or risk being charged. The tribal infantry got another javelin volley in, but returning arrows broke one unit. I was losing on this flank. <br /><br />No time to waste then, I had to get busy elsewhere. On the other far flank I decided to throw the ghulam in and they moved up and charged – what the hey, we came to fight. Things turned my way, inflicted a lot of damage on the crossbowmen and, with bad dice, the hospitallers were also in trouble. My al-hlaqa scored lots of hits and then won a challenge, slaying the order’s leader in single combat for 3 more disorder… and the hospitallers suddenly broke! Big swing, suddenly the crusader's centre was in trouble. But so was my right, as archers broke. In desperation I got a charge in with the last tribal warrior unit and they reached the turcopoles, holding them in melee would be one way of neutralising them. More archery broke my pin-cushioned Sudanese mercenaries as well, and the MV totals had plunged, with the crusaders now just in the lead, but by only 2 points. <br /><br />The ghulam continued their onslaught, broke the crossbowmen, but found themselves stalled by arriving dismounted knights, who extracted revenge and broke one ghulam unit back. This was a side show, but an expensive one, because the enemy men-at-arms also broke... carnage. The centre saw his knights finally charge (after breaking another ahdath levy unit with their fearsome reputation alone), they’d been starved of the card they needed, but ran into my best infantry, the al-halqa infantry withstood it, and with a rally, held, now my numbers could be bought to bare. His knights were in deep trouble as my heavy cavalry closed on their flank as well. Next turn they would charge. My right had final buckled, my last archers fled leaving my brave tribal warriors struggling against turcopoles. In a lucky challenge (another one) they won it and the turcopoles, their leader cut down, fled as well.<br /><br />The MV totals in the end phase were Saracens 1, Crusaders 2 left – so, so close. Next turn would be the last, who could do the most damage with the cards dealt?<br /><br />The Saracens. The cavalry in the centre charged in, destroying his knights in a flank charge and a gory massacre, as well as mopping up some armed peasants, also caught in the flank and rolled up. The crusader centre had been wiped out, only the command stand remained. On my left I lost the last ghulam unit to the foot knights, a solid rock here that my attack had shattered on. And that was about it. Crusader's MV had been reduced from a starting 26 to -12. Saracens from a starting 29 to -4. What a fight? Both sides throwing everything at it, and its was close all the way through. Both executed their plan and had the other under severe pressure… but in the end, losing the entire centre, after the sudden collapse of the hospitallers turned it - you don’t win many battles if your centre is destroyed. <br /><br />Great fun, 4.5 hours of a real blast, so many tough calls on card plays… I really enjoy that, when 1 card is useful in 3 ways and you are really on the spot. A memorable game. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrk5-O0yh06RzttHvSSBAaZrrq5gI36uoErhZnD62zQ9_vfebPmEqDUEK8VvQlUOClSyxrZPDRz7DP00xAo0fOiX6qz4p2Q7RB-qfbrvKk1Nu3RfLf0lg8vxeSsd9Hc8xLCmAKbVOgNY1T4eHFqZIKtuyodU6rKXquCNqipfTyFW2YBsauHR53CAWWuhD/s624/IMG_20230915_112617364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrk5-O0yh06RzttHvSSBAaZrrq5gI36uoErhZnD62zQ9_vfebPmEqDUEK8VvQlUOClSyxrZPDRz7DP00xAo0fOiX6qz4p2Q7RB-qfbrvKk1Nu3RfLf0lg8vxeSsd9Hc8xLCmAKbVOgNY1T4eHFqZIKtuyodU6rKXquCNqipfTyFW2YBsauHR53CAWWuhD/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_112617364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saracen cavalry strike force of ghulam and al-halqa cavalry, horse archers lurking at the back, out of shot, hoping for a gap to ride through, or a sneaky flank ride. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxrQ8mhL2Q_WoCh_dEoh4m4sDJthDK1kMI_xCSVGTGbIup_Il8DjPbZfQliCP1EzFEnmgQlLpzyJNOGYGAfiPXnaSkpyq80k-mMIQkugJbdsAesTzhdVlfSSVH-T9ZkUslhIJfC4Njy17BvV7nJNULMSY9LGh4pCjcImaQakSmQAJinR7N8GrE0osW_jC/s624/IMG_20230915_115551170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxrQ8mhL2Q_WoCh_dEoh4m4sDJthDK1kMI_xCSVGTGbIup_Il8DjPbZfQliCP1EzFEnmgQlLpzyJNOGYGAfiPXnaSkpyq80k-mMIQkugJbdsAesTzhdVlfSSVH-T9ZkUslhIJfC4Njy17BvV7nJNULMSY9LGh4pCjcImaQakSmQAJinR7N8GrE0osW_jC/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_115551170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turcopole horse archers close in and trade shots, as the Arab tribal infantry respond and rush up to launch javelins back. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHbFFBG_VnViJU-XekIfzovy-XXSxqzkARfeNY1wa2GJ1wf2-hKPSpSeISXTTSr0WVMCCECTK1ViS5vh9kh4lQDjA5LyqX7wa4tdjCIN_PyHoPz7aNWtUxzjGGrMVebrgUQX3fl8AmjMUjGvEPXE6QT-ICJQJXARLxS4yv-zDxwlu99fTI1INp6PiXeGe/s624/IMG_20230915_122639386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHbFFBG_VnViJU-XekIfzovy-XXSxqzkARfeNY1wa2GJ1wf2-hKPSpSeISXTTSr0WVMCCECTK1ViS5vh9kh4lQDjA5LyqX7wa4tdjCIN_PyHoPz7aNWtUxzjGGrMVebrgUQX3fl8AmjMUjGvEPXE6QT-ICJQJXARLxS4yv-zDxwlu99fTI1INp6PiXeGe/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_122639386.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knights stall in front of the ahdath levy screen, but without a charge card, they use their fearsome reputation instead to break the panicking levy. Run-away!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeZTirbydsDWkgvwgl7SxitOOVDGk4hTtAN1la7a0NHgX1op-aB75eXTnNxwdRE3Rz49ESB21HLp6WfdE1HvmQuBVJe4HBboMsQQq6GE7w8R1JG9Y5nEb1mOPOpUXs4pZYhWFs6AVZUkpmuaa6yAc2pt5msGqQ1MNZ0JEl4KhA5rhByKdZOO0Z92A3yXP/s624/IMG_20230915_122650724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeZTirbydsDWkgvwgl7SxitOOVDGk4hTtAN1la7a0NHgX1op-aB75eXTnNxwdRE3Rz49ESB21HLp6WfdE1HvmQuBVJe4HBboMsQQq6GE7w8R1JG9Y5nEb1mOPOpUXs4pZYhWFs6AVZUkpmuaa6yAc2pt5msGqQ1MNZ0JEl4KhA5rhByKdZOO0Z92A3yXP/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_122650724.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The al-halqa cavalry close in on their target, and arch-nemesis, the holy order knights (and supporting armed monks). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FfUpnikYdyTG_6v_e8WiQ9_Lq4xsqySx91LWLKxgdturSzxbpTXMds5UV_l3y9zc-ldpsjzmFPpgX4bSwHuI6jH1dSMH34d_plNqPwFmjMLQd9IungIVnAQGNu1UCwYgQW-2b5SY559Pc17t2R0CSxJ1Gj7NqEPkOMtCIL6G7lHc1ZTVrXjT-OhYSvAq/s624/IMG_20230915_150509478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FfUpnikYdyTG_6v_e8WiQ9_Lq4xsqySx91LWLKxgdturSzxbpTXMds5UV_l3y9zc-ldpsjzmFPpgX4bSwHuI6jH1dSMH34d_plNqPwFmjMLQd9IungIVnAQGNu1UCwYgQW-2b5SY559Pc17t2R0CSxJ1Gj7NqEPkOMtCIL6G7lHc1ZTVrXjT-OhYSvAq/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_150509478.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse archers tried to rush through a gap (for the crusader's baggage train), but got intercept by their allied Armenian infantry, and that stalled them for the rest of the game. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndMChjw9OnqtGPf55fpvKquqvuo2idLSmPWwIq97puDoU6dmc2_6YYJrQkNDJje5YjmuY-hSbLfKDTo5q1C2FkAIn6WRxMukYsLez-eE4Uw2KgtU230bDbaaLMEVXF3iCNkrkoybJmLA_P-vcxYms05tW3KmPvgnZitWmZKGp7VIEC4UHh47Kt9XWLnbb/s624/IMG_20230915_140032689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndMChjw9OnqtGPf55fpvKquqvuo2idLSmPWwIq97puDoU6dmc2_6YYJrQkNDJje5YjmuY-hSbLfKDTo5q1C2FkAIn6WRxMukYsLez-eE4Uw2KgtU230bDbaaLMEVXF3iCNkrkoybJmLA_P-vcxYms05tW3KmPvgnZitWmZKGp7VIEC4UHh47Kt9XWLnbb/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_140032689.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghulam close in on the Crusader right, levelling lances and with the handy charge card to plow into those crossbowmen and break them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlroOp8nuI5RV4PO-rDNm0_L-mEftOzUAWsQXtu5rnJlFJPij8gI2syFcEEX976vx0sqfbFpA_q2ZP5ilNSY9DCQ7nPJfPdojFmfNNdAgfaP9SSjL6oxdYqqRhDbc5GQwZ_fBRP-cPjKj1WTnKLvE3BY8aV3efDq7DxTsisRwEk9Y5TZkUPOcTjJSstNL4/s624/IMG_20230915_135941663.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlroOp8nuI5RV4PO-rDNm0_L-mEftOzUAWsQXtu5rnJlFJPij8gI2syFcEEX976vx0sqfbFpA_q2ZP5ilNSY9DCQ7nPJfPdojFmfNNdAgfaP9SSjL6oxdYqqRhDbc5GQwZ_fBRP-cPjKj1WTnKLvE3BY8aV3efDq7DxTsisRwEk9Y5TZkUPOcTjJSstNL4/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_135941663.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turcopoles are countered by the Arab tribes and also pinned in a melee. Behind, the archers continue to pepper the melee with arrows, bad for both sides. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq5V2zTQcPEowasxZQ-5x6VdRkkBCP3IYTi0br3Byff0KQd2FA_cxQBaHWiPG2SYILLBtPdhLWMVStCgYpZGulcGWCRUploqKJHLQ92GUq5dkDlrsjjyQDrVMZzzNRjj90dXN-zzSIKJA3HUbEIk1lQhagMBALjfHtdSm81YWz2I_z_gYAt-RgKc2uatV/s624/IMG_20230915_133409191.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq5V2zTQcPEowasxZQ-5x6VdRkkBCP3IYTi0br3Byff0KQd2FA_cxQBaHWiPG2SYILLBtPdhLWMVStCgYpZGulcGWCRUploqKJHLQ92GUq5dkDlrsjjyQDrVMZzzNRjj90dXN-zzSIKJA3HUbEIk1lQhagMBALjfHtdSm81YWz2I_z_gYAt-RgKc2uatV/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_133409191.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charge! The clash of the heavy weights beings in the centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfOSTtuC-WCGXa0uOXrIJ0RAnyp-6Nnvfj5xyZUn2jFsX4QtxvRD73E8gHhx9sr5Qp3-22XgDKIijWurDRNA16PlpKP4pZahFX2X-_h_cpkhNPzmA6x9k19brV7-LWGxyXEn41Ahybu3a3hqpDqpGFmN9HUkh41ioABTgiVkxpOpbuANh5NO0_nvaKrcS/s624/IMG_20230915_150504174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfOSTtuC-WCGXa0uOXrIJ0RAnyp-6Nnvfj5xyZUn2jFsX4QtxvRD73E8gHhx9sr5Qp3-22XgDKIijWurDRNA16PlpKP4pZahFX2X-_h_cpkhNPzmA6x9k19brV7-LWGxyXEn41Ahybu3a3hqpDqpGFmN9HUkh41ioABTgiVkxpOpbuANh5NO0_nvaKrcS/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_150504174.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only the dismounted knights are left standing on the Crusader right, a empty space were my ghulam once were. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQIHy60sm1NoBGYSiE6-IostAri7yAhXUxDhc4zh6nvJAwYz4lq5e26V8h0jJO2zWz3sPj03Z1IdN08RXX8ELiXoX0Vd8zrxtYhOAOPb1KuHHxcuU2DK-a9ozhQ7DulOQVqjnmYw5swsZlnauokxu1te__vMBxeHW6rg8yti8WYKJGSVLZdu3dk49jSQd/s624/IMG_20230915_155236293.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQIHy60sm1NoBGYSiE6-IostAri7yAhXUxDhc4zh6nvJAwYz4lq5e26V8h0jJO2zWz3sPj03Z1IdN08RXX8ELiXoX0Vd8zrxtYhOAOPb1KuHHxcuU2DK-a9ozhQ7DulOQVqjnmYw5swsZlnauokxu1te__vMBxeHW6rg8yti8WYKJGSVLZdu3dk49jSQd/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_155236293.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The centre, and the hospitallers have broken, the Saracen cavalry begin to roll up those left. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKY07XHCVDLjb5wyG20a4fVFF5SspLd0Gsya-nmozM8nAb12cWT_1i0Au47_qpN9s4LXAkcWHU0nkvcx12QsnUwBL4TqpZhbr1Mflpw_zjIPEPjSNAFMvnVrTwM9d2qj5GFEyms_1YtAkdFOYriVA1ROeNBQlMJr-9E7_90-Z9SWsb_d09EBYwrbnV1nq/s624/IMG_20230915_154822496.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKY07XHCVDLjb5wyG20a4fVFF5SspLd0Gsya-nmozM8nAb12cWT_1i0Au47_qpN9s4LXAkcWHU0nkvcx12QsnUwBL4TqpZhbr1Mflpw_zjIPEPjSNAFMvnVrTwM9d2qj5GFEyms_1YtAkdFOYriVA1ROeNBQlMJr-9E7_90-Z9SWsb_d09EBYwrbnV1nq/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_154822496.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still, by Allah's will, battling it out, having beaten the turcopoles, only the command stand left to kill. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2GjPKOLxZSGNdhT4cP-HYJsYP87o_c_XSxmIKH9m1dm4wZXqyIwL4B9STIKiLLAa7LR40Ul1JSBVj3bmVRlEgY00wk7CULbUZ_c3DJp4zGmBrhoNDJOS28zcGoKKSs6Eywlt2Y2V7lgxCIEg5MczpLbHFqoWx9_p-BogB3ZUqRfLTQZr20dM0ntFHuPB/s624/IMG_20230915_154815283.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2GjPKOLxZSGNdhT4cP-HYJsYP87o_c_XSxmIKH9m1dm4wZXqyIwL4B9STIKiLLAa7LR40Ul1JSBVj3bmVRlEgY00wk7CULbUZ_c3DJp4zGmBrhoNDJOS28zcGoKKSs6Eywlt2Y2V7lgxCIEg5MczpLbHFqoWx9_p-BogB3ZUqRfLTQZr20dM0ntFHuPB/w400-h300/IMG_20230915_154815283.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end in the centre as it is destroyed, the knights flanked by the al-halqa and massacred. <br />Glory to Allah today! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbG4A31z1zg8_DfaSe_kzPGERPkCgN95f8dczojkqqVfBkIdcby2jaaI-YTKcCG7urvbvIITced8RJQZm50xDLCB7Ogj2PELK8lK4WimxK6QeEtlH9w5sm0IwkTJu9PwmXLi4uW9uKRAoagegfJOEz6bCqZW2Aa7Yq_9nKTW2-lQsMWJC2hV8z_0VOn1O/s624/IMG_20230915_155255187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-4373583558950918582023-07-29T06:14:00.001-07:002023-07-29T13:40:44.572-07:00 French Army project, for Soldiers of Napoleon<p>I began the large project of painting a French Napoleonic army in August ’22, so a year on, I thought I should record my progress. It has taken up 90% of my painting time for 12 months. <br /><br />I’ve been working to a plan, a unit a month (I’ve actually managed to go a bit faster), working on 2 months of infantry battalions, broken by a month of cavalry or artillery. As I worked on each unit, I usually added a little extra ‘thing’ too, like a command stand, or a hero model, or a limber, etc. So far, I have four brigades, either done or in progress. These are: the main, large, French infantry brigade, of 6 battalions (2 regiments) and 2 line gun batteries, with an allied brigade of Wurttembergers to break-up the repetition of all those French. There is a light cavalry brigade of hussars and chasseurs with a horse battery, and a reserve dragoon brigade of 2 regiments. <br /><br />I have enough to play a game (of medium sized), but I’m not done yet. The plan is to finish the Wurttembergers with a third line battalion and some of their own artillery. The light cavalry will get their third regiment to reach maximum size, not sure what yet, but most likely some Wurttemberg light cavalry as extra chasseurs. Perhaps the third dragoon regiment, or another 2 French infantry battalions so the big brigade can be split into two smaller, but still effective, ones of four battalions each. I also need a few ammo caissons, a supply wagon and another limber as nice extras, and aim to be done by the end of the year. No rest yet... <br /><br />But, as it stands, time to get a first actually game in with them… which is an invitation to a hefty defeat if the 'first game' syndrome is true… but we’ll see, soon the Grande Armee will march. </p><p>Most of the models are Front Rank via Gripping Beast, much thanks to them for keeping the supply lines flowing, and a few Victrix too, picked up on a whim. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mJqJztas2K52vVhvc9tDQDlDYR_AbrXJHzkRnQCg9PEJLOYuoFaYopcGLlc7FxikApjNtF-KvVGRkqvreUxSv3p0L_I7mxmaVCOtrfTNNEkvmxTLzZuiTF0abBOF87yYeCU65x-TOmegXkFQ24kPzHB3mEUhnJ8AIbCUcqAzNOPYDuLSTHCuKlNe27Xw/s624/IMG_20230728_150130232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mJqJztas2K52vVhvc9tDQDlDYR_AbrXJHzkRnQCg9PEJLOYuoFaYopcGLlc7FxikApjNtF-KvVGRkqvreUxSv3p0L_I7mxmaVCOtrfTNNEkvmxTLzZuiTF0abBOF87yYeCU65x-TOmegXkFQ24kPzHB3mEUhnJ8AIbCUcqAzNOPYDuLSTHCuKlNe27Xw/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150130232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leger regiment, 3 battalions and voltiguers, plus a line artillery battery<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUkDJZL5ln1GEforoM1mbIbJP2tPICTPGGEFOq43kPNSlJheQE_BYJeXo3uw1Td8UaEUopWMOoflplChvyWQXI39XAU6qc4S_96iNB1DYoJyShSswLVBcTkJnE3AETklanfxNZXENyyGcf9xG-AP-eNTzY_1xRnJLfMLP0tbNKYQHuhikOoS8pquhrrzd/s624/IMG_20230728_150136043.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUkDJZL5ln1GEforoM1mbIbJP2tPICTPGGEFOq43kPNSlJheQE_BYJeXo3uw1Td8UaEUopWMOoflplChvyWQXI39XAU6qc4S_96iNB1DYoJyShSswLVBcTkJnE3AETklanfxNZXENyyGcf9xG-AP-eNTzY_1xRnJLfMLP0tbNKYQHuhikOoS8pquhrrzd/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150136043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voltiguers stands<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTHrgIyAol9JSXmeSSmWA-yskfnMuszl7TLWDcvRqPK25WLPqACydKYNkuniWbiD1DSftj4FEj8kXVzfeMaFvt4dq9F6tpqTxITXlrJyCPS2wLfxIeEsmnU_9r4V5ocwpexelqh-AGUOXxn1h0Dh0ew67t_8t0rOTsYGXqfQ-SgbO90nmCx8n0h2ELoxt/s624/IMG_20230728_150141027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTHrgIyAol9JSXmeSSmWA-yskfnMuszl7TLWDcvRqPK25WLPqACydKYNkuniWbiD1DSftj4FEj8kXVzfeMaFvt4dq9F6tpqTxITXlrJyCPS2wLfxIeEsmnU_9r4V5ocwpexelqh-AGUOXxn1h0Dh0ew67t_8t0rOTsYGXqfQ-SgbO90nmCx8n0h2ELoxt/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150141027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st battalion with the regimental tricolour<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEa1VaDiybKeYv17_FRVj1QCCHmPQGwi5FaYpBcq86F4Cu3eaUf4Awu9DocepLDBM3xh1nFMkxbfg3uIm_vEcYl-ggJYeCYg24wgOKmhEqiey38Ju2BUY6YC9a7AM3Q1kcoQ-o9unfsOVd3RQxxjjGkiXJ2xfEYCUi72RdOvnTjQ1nwFeFv88rTnYBIt9/s624/IMG_20230728_150152438.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEa1VaDiybKeYv17_FRVj1QCCHmPQGwi5FaYpBcq86F4Cu3eaUf4Awu9DocepLDBM3xh1nFMkxbfg3uIm_vEcYl-ggJYeCYg24wgOKmhEqiey38Ju2BUY6YC9a7AM3Q1kcoQ-o9unfsOVd3RQxxjjGkiXJ2xfEYCUi72RdOvnTjQ1nwFeFv88rTnYBIt9/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150152438.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third battalion, with red fannion<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORrzKyA1e4SY0Qz6xLbgjYBkRCneqaatP7lfo_fxqBu7IZhT9Ou-vmzWH945ke22lwzi9BwnHYNmj8ev76bo9beNL25YQGRX1wpOQMJdXw4OvIMmXO2zPdqCVj9bYAspmgEuSP1e-s8BWi-KICVk2KQ8hfI66aZE64ea6-YGWTHGHeRkxNTngEno5BDYF/s624/IMG_20230728_150147866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORrzKyA1e4SY0Qz6xLbgjYBkRCneqaatP7lfo_fxqBu7IZhT9Ou-vmzWH945ke22lwzi9BwnHYNmj8ev76bo9beNL25YQGRX1wpOQMJdXw4OvIMmXO2zPdqCVj9bYAspmgEuSP1e-s8BWi-KICVk2KQ8hfI66aZE64ea6-YGWTHGHeRkxNTngEno5BDYF/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150147866.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line artillery battery<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_Rp5EV41mFbw3Ey9dM7zMAvaeNaeU9gqYJiv4aMTTXpCXsDlVMS_LCoHY46BGPTOUWHXL4A1AAM8RqBJA-ULJsk8MqrVDklxCUdVduHwM8cRVhp3HysezrLNYjq6zY2ZFKLBwNPnKs_3uh-7u7sdGW1HxBCeKZ1X-q-uKV0M63m_iV9e7SXHFX2_EnjL/s624/IMG_20230728_145440781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_Rp5EV41mFbw3Ey9dM7zMAvaeNaeU9gqYJiv4aMTTXpCXsDlVMS_LCoHY46BGPTOUWHXL4A1AAM8RqBJA-ULJsk8MqrVDklxCUdVduHwM8cRVhp3HysezrLNYjq6zY2ZFKLBwNPnKs_3uh-7u7sdGW1HxBCeKZ1X-q-uKV0M63m_iV9e7SXHFX2_EnjL/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_145440781.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Ligne' regiment<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqPs8s2rN1Bx-ORm1HJYC4CsY9Rsh4x4GdI5py4GfosBZeQS4mybL-ii3ACZgRzzOIndhwWk20hJWAFflHdHp49Z_koPByEiab_KsckdgoYdXVU7pJapZicRI8X5EDMlnbCUgB87zC3J1udjd4lUDoWEp_Jq4dUkNi8_uz599C8hAJQKlbzZInYWHcsVi/s624/IMG_20230728_145459578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqPs8s2rN1Bx-ORm1HJYC4CsY9Rsh4x4GdI5py4GfosBZeQS4mybL-ii3ACZgRzzOIndhwWk20hJWAFflHdHp49Z_koPByEiab_KsckdgoYdXVU7pJapZicRI8X5EDMlnbCUgB87zC3J1udjd4lUDoWEp_Jq4dUkNi8_uz599C8hAJQKlbzZInYWHcsVi/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_145459578.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second battalion with white fannion, brigade command stand, dismounted (for a a change). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBS-N_vbVX3-V2shMz3fjGxXMHyohfei2tw6riXVdPoLuqCInFNk4nB1FnmZh3CcCcfcY8tQ6RxUpsB_u9_CqBans-pFUFJIhUPIGFJLt_XMKzov413qQi9cAiPr1tJPvMN-I4Gh2kkYIT0G8tUiZ4aIotVixKWon93Y9IA3Inc6ugCTYCeDifPo1iLh/s624/IMG_20230728_145453378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBS-N_vbVX3-V2shMz3fjGxXMHyohfei2tw6riXVdPoLuqCInFNk4nB1FnmZh3CcCcfcY8tQ6RxUpsB_u9_CqBans-pFUFJIhUPIGFJLt_XMKzov413qQi9cAiPr1tJPvMN-I4Gh2kkYIT0G8tUiZ4aIotVixKWon93Y9IA3Inc6ugCTYCeDifPo1iLh/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_145453378.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First battalion, hero officer and voltiguers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2vXUFY9RF2E5J-zFmt6yT2m6OgfAG4yi0enttWchsKiScHM3WQo1jTqhTbEOcyRDJ-u1D2gr6RDAtRJ4ROFh5-X6_nB2qgkGFhHvflBlwmHjS6dMi-bvOiTOOIJoHygHildhE2TNI21kNsoxsbVMp8vV_3rjkSmP2J7PBJFRyCE9uAKoJjU3EVpwc2w/s624/IMG_20230728_145252609.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2vXUFY9RF2E5J-zFmt6yT2m6OgfAG4yi0enttWchsKiScHM3WQo1jTqhTbEOcyRDJ-u1D2gr6RDAtRJ4ROFh5-X6_nB2qgkGFhHvflBlwmHjS6dMi-bvOiTOOIJoHygHildhE2TNI21kNsoxsbVMp8vV_3rjkSmP2J7PBJFRyCE9uAKoJjU3EVpwc2w/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_145252609.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line 9 pdrs (Ok 8 pdr, typo).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joHCIi_iFohW16OFZhMSKQJiWdaRit3q9WfoDok_WOTobonjIxj1Vq7qJTVLJS0JNI9WZF-i8RM3FpmupY9HXL9boY2lWYgnXyw1GMAexqF5qeKoeeBYamTlqGBRmWyzXiuwfvDCvxP2ChxD7lTsvBRocGP3bmltiAxb_02al6bejCxx59fdnk0-leGb/s624/IMG_20230728_150648247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joHCIi_iFohW16OFZhMSKQJiWdaRit3q9WfoDok_WOTobonjIxj1Vq7qJTVLJS0JNI9WZF-i8RM3FpmupY9HXL9boY2lWYgnXyw1GMAexqF5qeKoeeBYamTlqGBRmWyzXiuwfvDCvxP2ChxD7lTsvBRocGP3bmltiAxb_02al6bejCxx59fdnk0-leGb/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150648247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wurttemberg infantry brigade (WIP), 2 line and 1 light battalion so far, oh, plus a jaeger detachment. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj7OIVxTlDCQUWDQszViVGCEJ9bi7NKhOsWKdPGg4X0KfUYnvMCh9dok83z94Fe4aqf40ynl3ZE7b-p-PNQNsam74Lefws8za_2b842GBsKIJk1tieIbEM67P_jsMdqqWFRTAMvUWmjZ1Z-19C_pBiFlme6FHdgN7ltRbCWW8YiS2XmVnjAFN1X5GEyHS/s624/IMG_20230728_150655481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj7OIVxTlDCQUWDQszViVGCEJ9bi7NKhOsWKdPGg4X0KfUYnvMCh9dok83z94Fe4aqf40ynl3ZE7b-p-PNQNsam74Lefws8za_2b842GBsKIJk1tieIbEM67P_jsMdqqWFRTAMvUWmjZ1Z-19C_pBiFlme6FHdgN7ltRbCWW8YiS2XmVnjAFN1X5GEyHS/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150655481.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few German green jackets with rifles... von Sharpe.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMHzTZRl-O_3VKLYM-KVdY0wur_09YJpp9O35Fj0sKi8vc4dRxk0gDP0LGDaV5sCHhd9B7h2_nHHk6fAS21kzm71xjKDbEX_pmQySOe374hVAmi5v7vEfhJZTuxkMbBSggYgJArISK90P1OPx4Un4bWEvJNrnP5lJzQuem2OiHiq3GzYR6Io68FjB9izQ/s624/IMG_20230728_150704517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMHzTZRl-O_3VKLYM-KVdY0wur_09YJpp9O35Fj0sKi8vc4dRxk0gDP0LGDaV5sCHhd9B7h2_nHHk6fAS21kzm71xjKDbEX_pmQySOe374hVAmi5v7vEfhJZTuxkMbBSggYgJArISK90P1OPx4Un4bWEvJNrnP5lJzQuem2OiHiq3GzYR6Io68FjB9izQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150704517.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wurttemberg light battalion<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNA-gzqjZ40HPAujEcfIbIq7Dkku1sws4TnUK7-7cPh548bKWGqnlzrlQopPT2YkwuLANl2FmcPalFEpax2rpEhpuvafUPu-nBgbuAlhLE9uh7zyAWNju4HAXbhwwAVZMVnNj132H7i3Vb9X_S2KmAv4_LqsleSfHCGD539HjNh5E0BXwuba9mRCVuD-W/s624/IMG_20230728_150712538.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNA-gzqjZ40HPAujEcfIbIq7Dkku1sws4TnUK7-7cPh548bKWGqnlzrlQopPT2YkwuLANl2FmcPalFEpax2rpEhpuvafUPu-nBgbuAlhLE9uh7zyAWNju4HAXbhwwAVZMVnNj132H7i3Vb9X_S2KmAv4_LqsleSfHCGD539HjNh5E0BXwuba9mRCVuD-W/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150712538.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line battalions, a third one is required, and some guns<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAQOlFTUVLufW9cl_2-lEH9pEyPM3blQ7euMLs4Kd30ALypVsrti5fBaS9JXmzfEE1QSaESmmYSvCUEFiq6kCg1ZuifGc51uzTzXK3LnUFG0yEYznqwvA7eE-nH6BVrugv8cKMbco3wyp0mnM54Ay6XgXdr-nY9NrJQK5uPOPiDpst1zWdkYJJHAJx4lL/s624/IMG_20230728_150722534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAQOlFTUVLufW9cl_2-lEH9pEyPM3blQ7euMLs4Kd30ALypVsrti5fBaS9JXmzfEE1QSaESmmYSvCUEFiq6kCg1ZuifGc51uzTzXK3LnUFG0yEYznqwvA7eE-nH6BVrugv8cKMbco3wyp0mnM54Ay6XgXdr-nY9NrJQK5uPOPiDpst1zWdkYJJHAJx4lL/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_150722534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boss, and skirmishers stands, all battalions have their skirmishers to deploy. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ95hstahY20skHe5yXHZllxWGFz5NZfYHLQcmRpPJkHetY6zBoRK4MavdjGq2LzONvhVZ-rxCmrr9SGIwAWZN1ZBvftjKnA4YrtGP-7DGzxJlH3Uij7Yd9aMp3GoT-283MPuOh7FS0COKAYz3sb5Pq3IymHLjE44zc-3xy9Iwxxlz4zktuOvTUP9kUga/s624/IMG_20230728_144210917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ95hstahY20skHe5yXHZllxWGFz5NZfYHLQcmRpPJkHetY6zBoRK4MavdjGq2LzONvhVZ-rxCmrr9SGIwAWZN1ZBvftjKnA4YrtGP-7DGzxJlH3Uij7Yd9aMp3GoT-283MPuOh7FS0COKAYz3sb5Pq3IymHLjE44zc-3xy9Iwxxlz4zktuOvTUP9kUga/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144210917.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light cavalry and horse battery, hussars and chasseurs<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOzNQyioGcTESS2R_2zRZyvNR-xzwL_9pTnwETWjib0t8GUkY6DAVjl60VV1D048AX6Z2Pm-nbPBLkS-3G0C9i2N9001Eveji0ZQiui3FSkIgZs-GzyFGaTS0Cqt_GYDUwwkHEEzrKQzIfO5qhXNy2e725wd8RHB-Z7dBgbhImx-K9DTSZQJnz_IwxHLD/s624/IMG_20230728_144216179.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOzNQyioGcTESS2R_2zRZyvNR-xzwL_9pTnwETWjib0t8GUkY6DAVjl60VV1D048AX6Z2Pm-nbPBLkS-3G0C9i2N9001Eveji0ZQiui3FSkIgZs-GzyFGaTS0Cqt_GYDUwwkHEEzrKQzIfO5qhXNy2e725wd8RHB-Z7dBgbhImx-K9DTSZQJnz_IwxHLD/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144216179.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse battery, artillery hussars<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSwbzsBMbN_D3QygB5kHZ1kjSklrEJDGXX5kM3MB2u-PqwmkOeEyoKDbMGL_ze90R2vst2YOzzNFDjHpMkynMKX4-yX0rx3cYAZOrWFukrTMezSu_734bSKVRFpmysGYK4syexxqPlCEQLmkQQSrrkmsCZOhdEp5bS05iaVFy8DcmUno_PtP410jfQlHk/s624/IMG_20230728_144228529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSwbzsBMbN_D3QygB5kHZ1kjSklrEJDGXX5kM3MB2u-PqwmkOeEyoKDbMGL_ze90R2vst2YOzzNFDjHpMkynMKX4-yX0rx3cYAZOrWFukrTMezSu_734bSKVRFpmysGYK4syexxqPlCEQLmkQQSrrkmsCZOhdEp5bS05iaVFy8DcmUno_PtP410jfQlHk/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144228529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brigade command stand, in fancy uniforms<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAARK_uMVmbySzPCBYJoONb1K3Is2Z5_c0PnxQubuSrsDd-2Hf_rNkX7q-CnpbQ2dBpwRgFPOSbk0nFS_2LnUIRyYgRpcZFFDEQAq_BE64oBsZnHQAi9CCitU_M8SrhrCqH_-54oXuzpuCiToN_f9BK6sHYXK097FKxs-e2iDZDVF7E-d_J8HH1qBgvIE6/s624/IMG_20230728_144223769.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAARK_uMVmbySzPCBYJoONb1K3Is2Z5_c0PnxQubuSrsDd-2Hf_rNkX7q-CnpbQ2dBpwRgFPOSbk0nFS_2LnUIRyYgRpcZFFDEQAq_BE64oBsZnHQAi9CCitU_M8SrhrCqH_-54oXuzpuCiToN_f9BK6sHYXK097FKxs-e2iDZDVF7E-d_J8HH1qBgvIE6/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144223769.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hussars (6th) and chasseurs, with 1 regiment still to add. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhGI9WvX64n4_oBp25oPnYTigGJEmGY0oNzo469Ty67Vb-hS1mXbNiKhFUHFrrC7bsuxlVcsoRI2eBe-yvcJWez4FNT7c7UWFht2GoUcUIlajhR17BPx7zoQuHg9Fa9UsvYLQpvzQqfPR03jfaocOFmbcyndTtRtVuTT6CqG1Fg5Q-fFOmsdKxxUjQCX2/s624/IMG_20230728_144609177.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhGI9WvX64n4_oBp25oPnYTigGJEmGY0oNzo469Ty67Vb-hS1mXbNiKhFUHFrrC7bsuxlVcsoRI2eBe-yvcJWez4FNT7c7UWFht2GoUcUIlajhR17BPx7zoQuHg9Fa9UsvYLQpvzQqfPR03jfaocOFmbcyndTtRtVuTT6CqG1Fg5Q-fFOmsdKxxUjQCX2/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144609177.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragoon brigade<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiBHHe2J7_9cA4IsiXgko5pk7uNAPGIaTOeT8Plz_zauV5SOULUprAhdTvZPBB3fkdcac7eAbXJfkjOy-9yS7HBjTG9ux8CxiI-e5SBFtiGLnIN8AEDVLNmR5C6OMhJyFGePqXG6QJI8XykrQHYTp2xJ_lNFWGlULO5IWsPdz0YZ1eVU-Azy4ll36uL-G/s624/IMG_20230728_144615738.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiBHHe2J7_9cA4IsiXgko5pk7uNAPGIaTOeT8Plz_zauV5SOULUprAhdTvZPBB3fkdcac7eAbXJfkjOy-9yS7HBjTG9ux8CxiI-e5SBFtiGLnIN8AEDVLNmR5C6OMhJyFGePqXG6QJI8XykrQHYTp2xJ_lNFWGlULO5IWsPdz0YZ1eVU-Azy4ll36uL-G/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144615738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bit of cavalry hitting power... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUIh0pxREKIuHQLC3JOXV1YGNM8gSQEfpksUfGtVMqptotdLasFtS3JCx68HOol13ylJ4_nGjnq5RPTMA05Cr9B-2iT_CAgsAyhh1XixIByFqFcX5tAppX_7wmo4lP68DtkG0aBWuYAEG_yjdg9oQ4Mft0qbEJY6y4sb88yugkMJJsEKjYHa9MmzahKlb/s624/IMG_20230728_144620518.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUIh0pxREKIuHQLC3JOXV1YGNM8gSQEfpksUfGtVMqptotdLasFtS3JCx68HOol13ylJ4_nGjnq5RPTMA05Cr9B-2iT_CAgsAyhh1XixIByFqFcX5tAppX_7wmo4lP68DtkG0aBWuYAEG_yjdg9oQ4Mft0qbEJY6y4sb88yugkMJJsEKjYHa9MmzahKlb/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_144620518.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brigade's boss<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl0qMWuMF49ULNrAhUF7e5qQzVA_UFPrZwDzUarMmatVU1AI8Fzl2liMkOqNGqfvAFKxBrdgmbpxvYA1KrfuTHvXHhZMChh90S8hHnoOvxlgK8eyqdxGfzTuNePrb_3tpkoep0ElVvsGYR-Rwt9e_kA7eijvGEfVEXpuObY4GV08DdrYPIBmpxMaPChx3/s624/IMG_20230728_151048407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl0qMWuMF49ULNrAhUF7e5qQzVA_UFPrZwDzUarMmatVU1AI8Fzl2liMkOqNGqfvAFKxBrdgmbpxvYA1KrfuTHvXHhZMChh90S8hHnoOvxlgK8eyqdxGfzTuNePrb_3tpkoep0ElVvsGYR-Rwt9e_kA7eijvGEfVEXpuObY4GV08DdrYPIBmpxMaPChx3/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_151048407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L'Empereur and aides (and Marengo). Army-level command stand. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1KbFl3tOtGLSovHNIJ9fCS5Oz4hgA45xaoEBwGGU_ZPYjhb5lMpkJRu1iB3-quTO2dd80o2liDUxaEgjxKNQtYaBZYDO6_wAZ1jkmYZHRTei7_4cwsRtkC7wPRMH1WelXvfKrq-TKUpg5XH-eNnZ8wK624jTxoEJtBZCT7WeSDG-PtSCGOQbP4gMikXw/s624/IMG_20230728_151055274.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1KbFl3tOtGLSovHNIJ9fCS5Oz4hgA45xaoEBwGGU_ZPYjhb5lMpkJRu1iB3-quTO2dd80o2liDUxaEgjxKNQtYaBZYDO6_wAZ1jkmYZHRTei7_4cwsRtkC7wPRMH1WelXvfKrq-TKUpg5XH-eNnZ8wK624jTxoEJtBZCT7WeSDG-PtSCGOQbP4gMikXw/w400-h300/IMG_20230728_151055274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General de Division, a few hero models to add in if required. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-88310008237935715732023-07-26T10:03:00.004-07:002023-07-26T10:03:50.619-07:00 Battle of Luzhkova, tester for Battlegroup: Bagration<p>This 800 point battlegroup game, a tester for the Battlegroup:Bagration army lists, was a randomly generated ‘recce screen’ scenario, so a meeting engagement between my panzer forces and a Russian rifle division list. I imagine sometime around June 24-25th as the Russian burst through the front line defences during Operation Bagration and the Germans sent fire-fighting panzer forces to try and stem the tide… not with much success. My force would be one such, try to stop up a gap at the village of Luzhkova (somewhere west of Vitebsk maybe?). <br /><br />My force was fairly bland, a Panzer IV platoon (all 5 present) and motorised panzer grenadier platoon upgraded to veterans, off-table mortars support from 120mm tubes, and added extras, a 234/1 armoured car, 250/1 recce team, FHQ in 251/3, a Grille, an AA 251/1, a FAMO, a counter battery fire mission, etc. Total BR 48. <br /><br />The reds came en-masse, a full infantry company (3 platoons) with a bit of support from an infantry gun, light mortar team, Maxim MG team. A battery of 3 SU-76s. A battery of 2 SU-152s. An on-table battery of 3 120mm mortars, comms truck, 3 horse-drawn supply wagons, a cavalry recce squad, sniper and 3 sapper squads in trucks. A lot of infantry… phew! Total BR 53. <br /><br />We sorted timed barrages (one timed IL-2 air-strike by the Reds), ammo’d up and the German panzer force rolled for a ‘hinderance’, something that was an issue in their rapid ‘fire-fighter’ deployment. I got poor comms, meaning gaining the Communications Breakdown special rule for the game (and with no forward comms unit for me, so my 120mm mortars now need a 4+ comms test, not 3+). <br /><br />We then rolled 6 turns for the scout phase and spent it not doing much, a few mortar rounds went down range (one killed a Russian sniper), my 234/1 probed to the bridge and found Russian cavalry lurking and tried to engage them to steal back the objective (marked by a T34/85 wreck), but got pinned by return fire at close range. We skipped quickly through this, neither doing much and got to the first arrivals from reserve. Here they come… <br /><br />The Russians arrived, running or riding SU-76s and first made for the swamps and woods on their left. pressing here first and meeting the 234/1 (now unpinned ) and my first Panzer IV waiting on ambush fire. They would continue to build-up in the trees and bring a SU-152 over too. Meanwhile, their 120mm battery got set up in the corner as spotters got forward. They opened fire with the cavalry recce team spotting and nailed my first truck, sending the passengers scattering into the cornfield, pinned. That battery would start to hurt, firing 6 dice each turn. I need to slow it down and targeted it with my own mortars, a long spot from my recce team hiding in the farmhouse. They got through and scored 1 pin, not enough, but something. Of course, those mortars would become very unreliable due to my comms issues, so the Russian mortars would win that battle, my counter-battery fire didn’t do much (and never 1 direct hit!). <br /><br />My troops rolled in, panzers and trucks trying to get forward quick, and weather more mortars fire, causing pins and then a mine strike, which destroyed a Panzer IV… this had not started well! The counters had already added up for: out-scouted, 2 objectives claimed, unpinning and a KO’d truck and tank, with not one less than a 3, and too many 4s. So far, the Russians had just 2 counters and 1 of them was a mine strike - grrr!<br /><br />Anyway, you can come back, and hopefully I would, once the panzers got busy. Then, a new disaster, 120mm mortar shells (again) scored a direct hit on my just dismounted FHQ, in the orchard by the village, getting in place to spot for some Grille fire. Kaboom! Wiped out, 2 more counters and I lost my Grille’s only spotter. It would be close support now then. The village was hit by a requested arty strike from 122mm guns (counter battery failed) and a IL-2 Sturmovik dropped its bombs, only to kill my sniper with a direct hit, good grief! Can you tell where this is going? <br /><br />Anyway, luck can change… but it didn’t. I then rolled terrible for orders, getting 6, 5 and 4 total in three consecutive turns and so the reds rolled in and I struggled to do much, my lead panzer IV did nail a SU-76 in the woods - woot!. <br /><br />A little flanking force of an SU-76, SU-152 and engineers made for the outlying farm, the third objective, and I had to send an infantry squad to hold it, or the enemy would have all three. MGs deployed, they held the farm but also got pinned. Thankfully his SU-152 fired and missed. Return fire missed it too, but it retreated to re-arm. <br /><br />All in all, the red tide was rising fast… a fresh infantry platoon had reached the church and swarmed down the swampy gully, into waiting MG and rifle fire which did some pinning, but it was 1 squad vs a full platoon with Maxim support. The squad and MG team were lost trying to stop-up that gully, but they did damage in doing so. Not enough though. <br /><br />When the second SU-152 appeared in the woods near the church, my Panzer IVs shots glanced off and its return fire smashed the panzer to smoking ruin… that was enough, my BR total had raced up to 49 and my battlegroup, mauled, was pulling back. Luzhkova was soon in Russian-hands, In all, with unpinning and some small damage, the Russian BR total was just 17… so a round hammering for the panzers here. Minsk here we come! The red steam roller rolls on. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFrwS4E4_t0Z5B90HLk5gTtIQI8aWS4SAtzdhZDRdnAQ5inU3oCKJZ0cVsbKQDlPYcKvouukZoghDvOW_vxhzTXgh1BJJ7jjLl2jdLVIlaE3Du9cs1t8-meA-23IBGLHUKWz_w8vMj0Tdq46lZA-tLkn6w-xGNK46QeCUr64LySKsVvorNBrH2_r1feX2/s624/IMG_20230723_193213373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFrwS4E4_t0Z5B90HLk5gTtIQI8aWS4SAtzdhZDRdnAQ5inU3oCKJZ0cVsbKQDlPYcKvouukZoghDvOW_vxhzTXgh1BJJ7jjLl2jdLVIlaE3Du9cs1t8-meA-23IBGLHUKWz_w8vMj0Tdq46lZA-tLkn6w-xGNK46QeCUr64LySKsVvorNBrH2_r1feX2/w400-h300/IMG_20230723_193213373.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet near the church? The Russian infantry moved up through the swamps and trees, with a little flanking attack at the farm, an objective. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjxxSruFYMt2KWy2xBGMuHkwflt1x1_fhQBqNdZPJfHeCLbMlpbm9Ce1il9wwTsTJuVl0biV1TJLSd2il4wiI7BCUkCJn_b4MjV3nMJPIzlGPzTJL1BS5KlLoZqPb6zESx3HyFnDKdhhI5ENy27ZWumSxvaY4Ihr59xzrkRpIFOVS_cjBax4rYCXbmb6f/s624/IMG_20230723_193222600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjxxSruFYMt2KWy2xBGMuHkwflt1x1_fhQBqNdZPJfHeCLbMlpbm9Ce1il9wwTsTJuVl0biV1TJLSd2il4wiI7BCUkCJn_b4MjV3nMJPIzlGPzTJL1BS5KlLoZqPb6zESx3HyFnDKdhhI5ENy27ZWumSxvaY4Ihr59xzrkRpIFOVS_cjBax4rYCXbmb6f/w400-h300/IMG_20230723_193222600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Center of the table, the little church on the hill. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLropwv7A8TmIasKBvQcvq-A58Ul9gJBYINliYA-5JhqZxb8El_3f5jyMi1yuSuO6WtN9WlrxS8yCuJhxfTug7qLT8rVQt4JUv3i_JFJAnBeEVrf83aQp5YLMQSxQNWz0e9VV7NCRhd14TMv4HQ6eZzRf0A_8kOQJbp8iy4MzQThptA6PzkWS5UHEob0HF/s624/IMG_20230723_193233253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLropwv7A8TmIasKBvQcvq-A58Ul9gJBYINliYA-5JhqZxb8El_3f5jyMi1yuSuO6WtN9WlrxS8yCuJhxfTug7qLT8rVQt4JUv3i_JFJAnBeEVrf83aQp5YLMQSxQNWz0e9VV7NCRhd14TMv4HQ6eZzRf0A_8kOQJbp8iy4MzQThptA6PzkWS5UHEob0HF/w400-h300/IMG_20230723_193233253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luzhkova, before the storm<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ9ur3vqtGRt0_IkhUGoQ5X3A9Y1jpwIV0yZLeh5te4DAkQrbvtA9EpYlzx1jrooccqYWNPjq6JBB5lN0NaZxYg_eHln9kVKC67mqSUoV9UI5yUM9B-fhKesfE3zywJ4EyIAdlfiZIYFhVsQMQo65BNhbfwLcgKjOjW92oeyX2i6rmXmgzSdPqfZsMSYF/s624/IMG_20230724_110051583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ9ur3vqtGRt0_IkhUGoQ5X3A9Y1jpwIV0yZLeh5te4DAkQrbvtA9EpYlzx1jrooccqYWNPjq6JBB5lN0NaZxYg_eHln9kVKC67mqSUoV9UI5yUM9B-fhKesfE3zywJ4EyIAdlfiZIYFhVsQMQo65BNhbfwLcgKjOjW92oeyX2i6rmXmgzSdPqfZsMSYF/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_110051583.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First recce moves out up the lane, heading to the bridge. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-8Y0NHw0X1ZelGBpw-P_9GI885TcSXKTu7f-IFCbvJUOy4EDSIaraZIsOLsR82lLTFmM46BHwrqMs04C6yvW-Ysgq9vNl66grY2E4as2fUNyp53fCh2AfJzfowBWVO2jTw7xAqfdjOKLT_Jr8sYrH1YvORVbYhgDp-4cIHydmk9xA1nt03v1X2BsoMz3/s624/IMG_20230724_111317030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-8Y0NHw0X1ZelGBpw-P_9GI885TcSXKTu7f-IFCbvJUOy4EDSIaraZIsOLsR82lLTFmM46BHwrqMs04C6yvW-Ysgq9vNl66grY2E4as2fUNyp53fCh2AfJzfowBWVO2jTw7xAqfdjOKLT_Jr8sYrH1YvORVbYhgDp-4cIHydmk9xA1nt03v1X2BsoMz3/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_111317030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and finds enemy cavalry holding here, a short ranged fight saw the 234/1 pinned. When unpinned, its fire broke the cavalry and they ran. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkghUPcQBBz9Ysp3uc5Ea9Wff_jt6OzWnOl_bdL4Yy-zqNm72BN3jOqqjg8ck7g9Q2T2Tkh3bdOlww3hX7poOmzvLYkhEoIQapbIYIjAJT-arQ5orbYp4eDkLbSPBTQIuebHmD3GlVNTqOZT-VGH6TEVvi0XJYkT4xPSqFnYanIlJnYK7_lo17Ff03SupO/s624/IMG_20230724_113933326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkghUPcQBBz9Ysp3uc5Ea9Wff_jt6OzWnOl_bdL4Yy-zqNm72BN3jOqqjg8ck7g9Q2T2Tkh3bdOlww3hX7poOmzvLYkhEoIQapbIYIjAJT-arQ5orbYp4eDkLbSPBTQIuebHmD3GlVNTqOZT-VGH6TEVvi0XJYkT4xPSqFnYanIlJnYK7_lo17Ff03SupO/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_113933326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bane of the Germans today (and most days), 120mm mortar battery, far table corner. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlnWcx7cY7TD8ObBKDkM4XQW1w6EhmAJzn1aSrzNBWMK4tMoNf_rcaZjeSCuSba_Ju4iCfYKeNT0n5gpDc5XfEJwGWyEKvgBafmKrfn8cBpjVFjqPz2VLejhTlWFyKd__nFGDWIMCRBwOmqfQHMGP4r508VLrm2LSZ1H8EBNOanVMVr0aa6dfiiPm8Jbs/s624/IMG_20230724_113924886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlnWcx7cY7TD8ObBKDkM4XQW1w6EhmAJzn1aSrzNBWMK4tMoNf_rcaZjeSCuSba_Ju4iCfYKeNT0n5gpDc5XfEJwGWyEKvgBafmKrfn8cBpjVFjqPz2VLejhTlWFyKd__nFGDWIMCRBwOmqfQHMGP4r508VLrm2LSZ1H8EBNOanVMVr0aa6dfiiPm8Jbs/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_113924886.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rifle platoon moves up into the woods and swamps, SU-76 for support. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pIoLg1Zw7oO-hYuzK4NrF_QwuFtrfWRSJuMtrzJr9Pf_IYROAScCNH80xD17P3Sim71_7iNYz7mv4PX9QNY8bP1jFsbf3S7XD1uiuoi5du1gQczXnkv3IqF5ucUm5hkF5bhBxHUuJZ_3acv8wpvUyr0Aq-TDOe9gw_pnheAHS7VA-pK37P7dpEFhdgqF/s624/IMG_20230724_113915865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pIoLg1Zw7oO-hYuzK4NrF_QwuFtrfWRSJuMtrzJr9Pf_IYROAScCNH80xD17P3Sim71_7iNYz7mv4PX9QNY8bP1jFsbf3S7XD1uiuoi5du1gQczXnkv3IqF5ucUm5hkF5bhBxHUuJZ_3acv8wpvUyr0Aq-TDOe9gw_pnheAHS7VA-pK37P7dpEFhdgqF/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_113915865.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deploying at the village, AA cover and commanders half-track by the orchard, bad place to stand...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibSbpvELLyjqWXX-fiFlI8u14UaVjz7wEJjJ42EmspGxyKgsjEcTU7JzeOVfysOOaMjr6rnWsscgXF6gzLwPz3kIOzanlRLwnSltKmR4Il4vHvBfvqvO8BALhlEBdmfF1xW8ezp9v-tHnPeCW7a3KsAToaWFLsj5PFCU0ubNyj8mBKxvwLGw105HWBvRj/s624/IMG_20230724_115718021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibSbpvELLyjqWXX-fiFlI8u14UaVjz7wEJjJ42EmspGxyKgsjEcTU7JzeOVfysOOaMjr6rnWsscgXF6gzLwPz3kIOzanlRLwnSltKmR4Il4vHvBfvqvO8BALhlEBdmfF1xW8ezp9v-tHnPeCW7a3KsAToaWFLsj5PFCU0ubNyj8mBKxvwLGw105HWBvRj/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_115718021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine strike... great! Things will get better...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxxQItQvQ7ft-PVhcWuPI00WAIz76lmp5Xh-tBoAX8i3_sllvQedTNIfsnKFde4le__XmeMp9vlSHC9kvLFRZkWNmIuZUol-SDZRS_ztM93UxDEU-qMqv8rfposrc84gBoNh13yOeuv8iE2HLrN5s1oFQcE4Ex5CLREUc3GPNkirhig4vrQ1W8fWQ0DrG/s624/IMG_20230724_115728592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxxQItQvQ7ft-PVhcWuPI00WAIz76lmp5Xh-tBoAX8i3_sllvQedTNIfsnKFde4le__XmeMp9vlSHC9kvLFRZkWNmIuZUol-SDZRS_ztM93UxDEU-qMqv8rfposrc84gBoNh13yOeuv8iE2HLrN5s1oFQcE4Ex5CLREUc3GPNkirhig4vrQ1W8fWQ0DrG/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_115728592.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arty support, only picked because the model has been in 1 game ever. I see why. Cute though. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ01Xbk5g22tGmBoVTk3mn28CoCTht7gWh3Wv8Jvb_TKqYae8wREy5u_TbPriUINu4wY6UvJmKoN2ihCjvw29CncNB4PSdalMTO0w7NVnO7W24dTALykFM4_SHmTG_Jd-EZzxD64L6hlW5mS7DcsmOvjbOKKiYAZYD8S3R09LzFiKotw7suCNrtbr3gzn/s624/IMG_20230724_120433848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ01Xbk5g22tGmBoVTk3mn28CoCTht7gWh3Wv8Jvb_TKqYae8wREy5u_TbPriUINu4wY6UvJmKoN2ihCjvw29CncNB4PSdalMTO0w7NVnO7W24dTALykFM4_SHmTG_Jd-EZzxD64L6hlW5mS7DcsmOvjbOKKiYAZYD8S3R09LzFiKotw7suCNrtbr3gzn/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_120433848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">234/1 pulls back and aid the Panzer IVs which stands guard up by the church. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmRCfljkhRCMyGg4iQcYzYtYTrS_6RCRzpUDV6-368hX_zeyB3CVj__UZpCJEjJmtF7Mv5By0x1f722TWHvSErbo5RVvnfZTKQjLFTKuwjtZ2l49HvFcR50N-lk3ZqyUcg5yJ6MDyd_MQiDHSNSeH17T2xUH_ci8WSyWos__7xrrlWAv63is67vcZHC2_/s624/IMG_20230724_120628407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmRCfljkhRCMyGg4iQcYzYtYTrS_6RCRzpUDV6-368hX_zeyB3CVj__UZpCJEjJmtF7Mv5By0x1f722TWHvSErbo5RVvnfZTKQjLFTKuwjtZ2l49HvFcR50N-lk3ZqyUcg5yJ6MDyd_MQiDHSNSeH17T2xUH_ci8WSyWos__7xrrlWAv63is67vcZHC2_/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_120628407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SU-76 comes forward to take a few shots, most HE to pin. Return AP round found its mark. Small victories hey?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1d0qklQKwhpZ8WgzC2cIsrUHJZfU6vOG1Dvmu6YYkJlHBMipE_6dSXUQxw6CP9kjX2WSefq-XT1lwW3AcVc-33f9tgSactEuJO8xm_8m_QZ6Elf7ihw18-ssEkBVBTX5mt8Dz8VF7HVmdlXKmpQOCgjZ2EAAxPO05LCjJlYQdt3hKmB1hHd9Htw_tVbv/s624/IMG_20230724_121424003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1d0qklQKwhpZ8WgzC2cIsrUHJZfU6vOG1Dvmu6YYkJlHBMipE_6dSXUQxw6CP9kjX2WSefq-XT1lwW3AcVc-33f9tgSactEuJO8xm_8m_QZ6Elf7ihw18-ssEkBVBTX5mt8Dz8VF7HVmdlXKmpQOCgjZ2EAAxPO05LCjJlYQdt3hKmB1hHd9Htw_tVbv/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_121424003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No spotter for the Grille, it rolled up to fire its 150mm shells into the woods. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP1jlh5BAgI28sHO8ZjcOjtelO1qLUcdt-XbG9QrVK_JC0VSXDbQmF56amVPPpSyL4UvXisbCtiB_Q0bTbvfDzVlwsxkfbTHyJ___8VFWVWCfxIOrvk0v5YB4PCdbkpdgkmsys171v8Jk-rbiFuGCcjpCydKf8TR5k6618nqwCM9boACmaVjGWujiFLWl/s624/IMG_20230724_113906350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP1jlh5BAgI28sHO8ZjcOjtelO1qLUcdt-XbG9QrVK_JC0VSXDbQmF56amVPPpSyL4UvXisbCtiB_Q0bTbvfDzVlwsxkfbTHyJ___8VFWVWCfxIOrvk0v5YB4PCdbkpdgkmsys171v8Jk-rbiFuGCcjpCydKf8TR5k6618nqwCM9boACmaVjGWujiFLWl/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_113906350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzers move up past Luzhkova and the burning wreck of the first squad's truck, hit by... guess what... 120mm mortar fire. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yizsFzS3YIVyxtjUVAHd_f0SeN1vr2Q_ZRZC13uAykLyxZA_DYqN3CXxFFbFyQ0X4Z7kDnJoggU0klV8XqSBUnvYTvP-c120Gybw-m1haoiEWlPU5X1PEwAgekD3eJo3q_0cyJVCUsLAtJjMwmgd-IBQQeV2yvxpyIvcCbow53RJmWw4IqQRtTIobMow/s624/IMG_20230724_121446135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yizsFzS3YIVyxtjUVAHd_f0SeN1vr2Q_ZRZC13uAykLyxZA_DYqN3CXxFFbFyQ0X4Z7kDnJoggU0klV8XqSBUnvYTvP-c120Gybw-m1haoiEWlPU5X1PEwAgekD3eJo3q_0cyJVCUsLAtJjMwmgd-IBQQeV2yvxpyIvcCbow53RJmWw4IqQRtTIobMow/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_121446135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SU-152 and engineers moving up too. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSDso7ALOt0_Q3N_8EIhSQ7jJx8jMrLHDpYV1y4urekWpfIXc89ZutLPqCHNRG_arX_WVFiSne83cLljYmHSfm5vJ9Sol7aeOAyl7HRpKp26qI6Gt8A09KVr0vEtLBn2pG2iUOYUqUDmp_o76FlI2VG7Y94YyE-PMWHXHrruY-zqEVDXtMUaNoHVARZA-/s624/IMG_20230724_121628185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSDso7ALOt0_Q3N_8EIhSQ7jJx8jMrLHDpYV1y4urekWpfIXc89ZutLPqCHNRG_arX_WVFiSne83cLljYmHSfm5vJ9Sol7aeOAyl7HRpKp26qI6Gt8A09KVr0vEtLBn2pG2iUOYUqUDmp_o76FlI2VG7Y94YyE-PMWHXHrruY-zqEVDXtMUaNoHVARZA-/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_121628185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rec infantry back at the objective. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSXDCl513CvoKxeEBF0pbr9_9rWn0ezhYKBs5EZ-1O8kosIDhTDfPNQfro9ayCgukd9RWWXhfuaR9y2XYlCkMuHhliG8w9eVHevF76Orw5v8_pFDv1g7ZNJZWrorO73iwe0xILIWYtq_jEgJUoz13FOeGkDWkNfyRfLY7cDpi1qT2R0lvM91_b8XIMfZa/s624/IMG_20230724_121639218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSXDCl513CvoKxeEBF0pbr9_9rWn0ezhYKBs5EZ-1O8kosIDhTDfPNQfro9ayCgukd9RWWXhfuaR9y2XYlCkMuHhliG8w9eVHevF76Orw5v8_pFDv1g7ZNJZWrorO73iwe0xILIWYtq_jEgJUoz13FOeGkDWkNfyRfLY7cDpi1qT2R0lvM91_b8XIMfZa/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_121639218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On station, on ambush fire. lead Panzer IV near the church fights a lonely battle, only the 234/1 for company. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri7XUSddTN3GTxHn1ctrIgWun_e3mBIdRaQYwadRxZNFR-wkN3-qyv9j5xmhO8ecmiZpu5llN-BKbkMhpWWdpQLmYdqA7fAb9pFTOCxlhY3jF3BbwQ4Uiy2wedzWkOQaTbl_N4Ys8pRjsv6a7wQr8PKkJRLkzmvgcI_WuX25SQxaAcbTRXWUlipuZ5kTy/s624/IMG_20230724_122347112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri7XUSddTN3GTxHn1ctrIgWun_e3mBIdRaQYwadRxZNFR-wkN3-qyv9j5xmhO8ecmiZpu5llN-BKbkMhpWWdpQLmYdqA7fAb9pFTOCxlhY3jF3BbwQ4Uiy2wedzWkOQaTbl_N4Ys8pRjsv6a7wQr8PKkJRLkzmvgcI_WuX25SQxaAcbTRXWUlipuZ5kTy/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_122347112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturmovik arrives (oh yeah, the Russian got a air attack too!). AA fire pinned it though. But, it'll be back. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKEUYqTQQRLBSUlcwaMEZ6Ed48koikb8N0yeQZyb7PQOhYvpMmk115uS2fgwWcmyLH5SArD2vHFYtns2xyjoHuAcn6uWrzpRwZSvHb4pdzUkrQ3dWgmmHpfhgKzqUTagZTH0qrUNp_QKcv0m0dxhdu3oM8MeHtUh4dzNO-2xSGJSsqzgWYNrImtawrXTI/s624/IMG_20230724_132301302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKEUYqTQQRLBSUlcwaMEZ6Ed48koikb8N0yeQZyb7PQOhYvpMmk115uS2fgwWcmyLH5SArD2vHFYtns2xyjoHuAcn6uWrzpRwZSvHb4pdzUkrQ3dWgmmHpfhgKzqUTagZTH0qrUNp_QKcv0m0dxhdu3oM8MeHtUh4dzNO-2xSGJSsqzgWYNrImtawrXTI/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_132301302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famo tries to fix the Panzer IV after the mine strike. No dice (well no dice rolling a 6). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW1QCVf_Bd33qpCT7nRDCELz4hVdJxYGTfH5jOoufw497Rzj2dvpJ2fTlDF2xaJTg2262t_ohEoXA1nPUK-d1YJbzQ9pz65Xb6eZuIYW76I6GNFuPHhAhhuNpsi0cjdlvguZI7oljke2r3gyQG59I_ffxBB25RXlMc_6u7dlovAHNE8MfrgaKSQKj2aNy/s624/IMG_20230724_132324366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW1QCVf_Bd33qpCT7nRDCELz4hVdJxYGTfH5jOoufw497Rzj2dvpJ2fTlDF2xaJTg2262t_ohEoXA1nPUK-d1YJbzQ9pz65Xb6eZuIYW76I6GNFuPHhAhhuNpsi0cjdlvguZI7oljke2r3gyQG59I_ffxBB25RXlMc_6u7dlovAHNE8MfrgaKSQKj2aNy/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_132324366.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SU-152 in the centre, targets the farm, but misses. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNEm2XQ1YSvK0bt-qw8LatVNELtC8F72dCCUsl-dl0iAP_6dji2-MERUMAq9MOuuE20HMcuY7S-t3ZNu2ihuCuGqHy32CavmEcgvvMEogSmojzqeWqRPn47jVR0DCJpgxnIbQG0P99yHrvAKPlInsW7HUNRduKPar2SDbq-IB90ckVYOxMmN0Gf1WM5mW/s624/IMG_20230724_132348537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNEm2XQ1YSvK0bt-qw8LatVNELtC8F72dCCUsl-dl0iAP_6dji2-MERUMAq9MOuuE20HMcuY7S-t3ZNu2ihuCuGqHy32CavmEcgvvMEogSmojzqeWqRPn47jVR0DCJpgxnIbQG0P99yHrvAKPlInsW7HUNRduKPar2SDbq-IB90ckVYOxMmN0Gf1WM5mW/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_132348537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No worries, lots of ammo back with the arriving wagons. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jSio1SV7Rrm8L6BbxLgsM3yhKygsVe41f36Z9GSWz-uEIQQc1XUAb6W6NbOVNIo0iYKEJ5F0kRSgBtFmHVS_f-g9avzLpWSomvCi4Axo3pUj5SWLFXkiIHB-hF4xjLwzJQT8OHps7F58v0eEifGWPQB3Lr_PqkReg9nOMIbP1u_SCgo0fXuokTFy8pxE/s624/IMG_20230724_133630298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jSio1SV7Rrm8L6BbxLgsM3yhKygsVe41f36Z9GSWz-uEIQQc1XUAb6W6NbOVNIo0iYKEJ5F0kRSgBtFmHVS_f-g9avzLpWSomvCi4Axo3pUj5SWLFXkiIHB-hF4xjLwzJQT8OHps7F58v0eEifGWPQB3Lr_PqkReg9nOMIbP1u_SCgo0fXuokTFy8pxE/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_133630298.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Panzer IV finally rolls in, too late to do much. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf00ngNLgWlSp5bZmSaXCKTaodRAY_R5YA_B1TtnkUTKKzrpnrFnonESXCiBKy46ZeAO2THxJK8PkgKPv5C-75_nZwv2-J-aiYgw2Ylhq1tyju45A6OKETlSdlNCqmCTvMpNlrnmlwpnSOGWWDAYyZC5QJJmYuK73_7LgLc2bJ3waTQQhRgRb51ca2cai/s624/IMG_20230724_142241226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf00ngNLgWlSp5bZmSaXCKTaodRAY_R5YA_B1TtnkUTKKzrpnrFnonESXCiBKy46ZeAO2THxJK8PkgKPv5C-75_nZwv2-J-aiYgw2Ylhq1tyju45A6OKETlSdlNCqmCTvMpNlrnmlwpnSOGWWDAYyZC5QJJmYuK73_7LgLc2bJ3waTQQhRgRb51ca2cai/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_142241226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fight for the swampy gully. Overwhelmed. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTzUhwErfHs_lnpKM6clb430cHAl1PsIYWS4ZKdu99RfGHnirOfQD6SPX2wfYFyiMLd7DWF_lYAR1yMWm0n6_-IZlZCubW6LJxkclP9haKlyZgCX5JHAflm6InmDHRHY1hzRJcf3BJxWXQxoPYZuoCB6r6lLmaMoo3bj9xYzbPggAAHIYH1CCCed0Bx1l/s624/IMG_20230724_142248155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTzUhwErfHs_lnpKM6clb430cHAl1PsIYWS4ZKdu99RfGHnirOfQD6SPX2wfYFyiMLd7DWF_lYAR1yMWm0n6_-IZlZCubW6LJxkclP9haKlyZgCX5JHAflm6InmDHRHY1hzRJcf3BJxWXQxoPYZuoCB6r6lLmaMoo3bj9xYzbPggAAHIYH1CCCed0Bx1l/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_142248155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's back, rockets away, and missing, with all 8! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV4CscLxg340lwsOeO06WqD45D2bWaj_rxCmqkoYNEjerdQ3CgCXpZ2WvDgRCVoKcnGPdKKet8VSo5oWooDuneHuQaOwJmp1BREomG-AbOVgMTD3ZZ1yNaWtgvX3qU6pBwJz7wv1oucb3a5FgkdpirKR9chVclCoto6TeT70fhiYOLoUu-uZQAjUC27cU/s624/IMG_20230724_142433762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV4CscLxg340lwsOeO06WqD45D2bWaj_rxCmqkoYNEjerdQ3CgCXpZ2WvDgRCVoKcnGPdKKet8VSo5oWooDuneHuQaOwJmp1BREomG-AbOVgMTD3ZZ1yNaWtgvX3qU6pBwJz7wv1oucb3a5FgkdpirKR9chVclCoto6TeT70fhiYOLoUu-uZQAjUC27cU/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_142433762.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SU pulls back to find a ammo wagon. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVjCk6neFyxCbQvnGDJauyFv39yWHMLWpuYHPJiWfrm9j0pVOAe18jDlN_YMT5WFNny9Jix8g-sB6DzUbzXG1vSEiNxvfc-MkxRfYoWj_7F0HQHtys8_Tke8dgnMUaJKf0DM5OiiTcP-NM3iDHT6tbeE0k-gXEiSudQCmUzJRxzHItKKMmQfNbg1dZkwo/s624/IMG_20230724_144012826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVjCk6neFyxCbQvnGDJauyFv39yWHMLWpuYHPJiWfrm9j0pVOAe18jDlN_YMT5WFNny9Jix8g-sB6DzUbzXG1vSEiNxvfc-MkxRfYoWj_7F0HQHtys8_Tke8dgnMUaJKf0DM5OiiTcP-NM3iDHT6tbeE0k-gXEiSudQCmUzJRxzHItKKMmQfNbg1dZkwo/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_144012826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face-off, panzer vs SU-152, traded shots, it won! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNEbcJhFD1n5JsXxwjRuapz7wL-eiOVHJ-tdrse1O2-G3hfKCQp1itynxPVzXFKcjQw0yOATpEqKYWwiWxUhtChSDdDK6fpR3j5ePB0rv9U35M-xrmBx2cicf0_QchkbrpuOTmv6rNSIZc3CZevvr0XF0fKjGqq3i-R8tIXZClvAAtrPf3SLukhU_GKCQ/s624/IMG_20230724_144019533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNEbcJhFD1n5JsXxwjRuapz7wL-eiOVHJ-tdrse1O2-G3hfKCQp1itynxPVzXFKcjQw0yOATpEqKYWwiWxUhtChSDdDK6fpR3j5ePB0rv9U35M-xrmBx2cicf0_QchkbrpuOTmv6rNSIZc3CZevvr0XF0fKjGqq3i-R8tIXZClvAAtrPf3SLukhU_GKCQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_144019533.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to quit Luzhkova... with anything still rolling. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtgxwSmNXQkNzHs2EgP4Gv3N2QfJOUrO2Or0oSlut3_eiXulKE7cmUP-SYOatH0V5xshv77RkUgir34Vz2jwdtzhOU4nceP6YSEXPkKIXLA3hv5Wj5Tez9KEOD00TU7VdPcZSXu8UX7tpcan4HlfZ0W2wKMR51ykojaSYAQHQeuD3IjErCMYCaMtwWzBT/s624/IMG_20230724_145316019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtgxwSmNXQkNzHs2EgP4Gv3N2QfJOUrO2Or0oSlut3_eiXulKE7cmUP-SYOatH0V5xshv77RkUgir34Vz2jwdtzhOU4nceP6YSEXPkKIXLA3hv5Wj5Tez9KEOD00TU7VdPcZSXu8UX7tpcan4HlfZ0W2wKMR51ykojaSYAQHQeuD3IjErCMYCaMtwWzBT/w400-h300/IMG_20230724_145316019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian take the little church on the hill. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-72449541662388357742023-07-14T07:47:00.002-07:002023-07-14T14:24:10.874-07:00Gudin's Division at Markgrafneusiedl @Wagram, scenario 10 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>We come to end of our Wagram games in a finale at Marksgrafneusiedl, where Gudin's division (Davout's Corps) took the village and pressed up the Wagram to its watchtower above (where the Austrians also had a redoubt). They were aided by a brigade of cuirassiers (briefly, before they withdrew to find better ground on the far right). That attack would be our final scenario.<br /><br />The French were to attack again, and chose to press it hardest on their left, across the Russbach stream (again), whilst it was more of holding action in the village. On the right, after arriving from reserves, the cuirassiers would also attack. The Austrian infantry lined the Wagram in two big brigades, line infantry to the fore, landwehr as the second line if required (then things are probably already lost). They held the redoubt with one battalion and had two on their left, a bit out on their own, to face the cavalry, but forming square should be protection enough. <br /><br />Initially we traded cannon fire, the Austrians actually scoring some good hits for once, and the French sent out a lot of skirmishers to harass the Wagram from their main attack force, the 21st Ligne’s three battalions. The voltiguers did some damage and would continue to be a thorn in Austrian sides all game. In the village, the French were themselves harassed by Austrian skirmishers, but to little effect, and that stopped when the voltiguers got out into the village too, skirmishing in the village was about it all game, along with some accurate cannon fire from the Wagram that eventually broke one French battalion. <br /><br />The cuirassiers raced on on the French right, in column of march, thundered through the Russbach and swiftly reformed into columns of attack. Opposite, on the slope, the Austrians formed square, and felt secure. If they did get charged, the cuirassiers might win, but not by much against well-formed infantry in square. That should stalemate his heavy cavalry. It didn’t though. A few intimidates as the big-boots sabre-rattled, and then an artillery bombards saw the squares start to look shaky.<br /><br />On the other extreme flank, the 21st Line had stalled in the stream, the skirmishers doing the work. One charge that did go in was repulsed back down the slope. Guns pounded away and both sides had to rally. Carried away, I sent one battalion down to counter-attack the disordered French and they got hit by volleys and artillery and broke - oops! Too keen, we’re supposed to be holding our ground here. That they did, but the French firepower was mounting, and the Austrian guns now ran low on ammo… grrr! <br /><br />By now the French had a slight lead in VPs, but the attack was going nowhere. Time for them to get busy… the French pushed on with the 21st Line, trading musketry and then two charges drove the white-coats off the slope’s crest in disorder. Meanwhile, the first cuirassier unleashed a (required) fierce cavalry charge and pounded into a square, hammering it, but not break it… they then quickly withdrew again as the square rallied and left a lot of men dead around its feet. But it held, just. Both my flanks were looking dodgy and rallying again. The French VP lead grew, the pressure mounted and the Austrians struggled to inflict much damage back. Another line regiment withdrew, just 2 stands left after rallying from French bayonets, and landwehr came forwards to block the gap. <br /><br />By now, Marshal Davout had arrived on the scene to watch as Gudin’s men took the high ground, and with the extra brigade, the French were playing 2 action cards up. Hard to live with, I’d already used all my command points earlier, so the French pressure could be turned up. On they came, the 21st Line again crashing home with bayonets and sending the Austrians backwards. On the other end of the line, the second cuirassiers had a ‘ride them down’ special event and first used an intimidate order to force my square into disorder, then charged in. The square fell apart in carnage, a bloody massacre as they sabred it into ruin, and took the colours! This was too much for the Austrians, the French had now 26 VPs (Austrian break point was 23), to the Austrians a mere 12 (French break point 27). The Austrians withdrew, the French had crested the Wagram and Archduke Charles, his army's left flank defeated, now had no choice but order the general withdrawal. The day was lost. The Emperor of France had his win (as he did on the day in 1809).<br /><br />In campaign VPs it ended France 14, Austria 5, so a convincing French win. Results doesn’t matter, we had a blast and i have a new Great Battles campaign for SoN ready to go when needed, Time to leave Naps aside for a bit and play something else, something with a few tanks… <br /> <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Z2_8UVlM_e7Zxmc18qi88p241TXC4dwttGjYDIWD5lt520zMS34RLJQC4AcOUwwzncLcq14ZgMRHIajfiUQrrVJoKZmj6fldd8Q5PKS2ducDaGbWG7YhIVN41Z4AaUc9J_0QnfIs1VnOzsB_JPv71YbhcMAcQ9zuFrceEcOHPGbLIqSH4wfJB2CGiG9/s624/IMG_20230711_122042076.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Z2_8UVlM_e7Zxmc18qi88p241TXC4dwttGjYDIWD5lt520zMS34RLJQC4AcOUwwzncLcq14ZgMRHIajfiUQrrVJoKZmj6fldd8Q5PKS2ducDaGbWG7YhIVN41Z4AaUc9J_0QnfIs1VnOzsB_JPv71YbhcMAcQ9zuFrceEcOHPGbLIqSH4wfJB2CGiG9/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_122042076.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church burns as the French move through the streets of Markgrafneusiedl. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKSdIuRJvxSdbim6l5d4CtqOJz2Cqg4jw4lhMzVmrAA7xSZ2PPHRR6irn-LfQE_RsItztnDewHmaCieZy_ZEyw8g7sifmgN5X-6FuIl8w4oNxLUkpIojfvbblzdcQyr_MRChDCnQQipv2KnJJO649dkCvetOvTvU6I8C9s86zVy2KKCSl855vaWrXPfFW/s624/IMG_20230711_122103347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKSdIuRJvxSdbim6l5d4CtqOJz2Cqg4jw4lhMzVmrAA7xSZ2PPHRR6irn-LfQE_RsItztnDewHmaCieZy_ZEyw8g7sifmgN5X-6FuIl8w4oNxLUkpIojfvbblzdcQyr_MRChDCnQQipv2KnJJO649dkCvetOvTvU6I8C9s86zVy2KKCSl855vaWrXPfFW/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_122103347.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French left, ready to march, the 21st Ligne to lead the way. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZJIFyVILLwMfPPUIIJlGvSRknYqj8A85nQaOlhJpuMJchyEa4fiVCc1d6oyj5fVtW3c-XYhr7O7guTVIGuUv8D2TKto42m1X7d0djTwxq-enNoIkP1AWAKbRdpwU9ZLX8phP9FxmGpGyX5nXKhk2ZqMirhBevD8uysffxIfhD9mYnIvuuTDci3UXdJ6P/s624/IMG_20230711_122109798.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZJIFyVILLwMfPPUIIJlGvSRknYqj8A85nQaOlhJpuMJchyEa4fiVCc1d6oyj5fVtW3c-XYhr7O7guTVIGuUv8D2TKto42m1X7d0djTwxq-enNoIkP1AWAKbRdpwU9ZLX8phP9FxmGpGyX5nXKhk2ZqMirhBevD8uysffxIfhD9mYnIvuuTDci3UXdJ6P/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_122109798.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian right wait for them, looking down over the Russbach, gun batteries trained. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKsp7yWAR4HZWkO-v4oSQXZPp9hQw3aytcewUnWGfHqOpQx8ba28LW5-_RQDaZfakH9aYF9JvPq670aL8XqGyk5DNuJc4U0v5tdveuXZfGDo8SfTXRePZvwxEv3SXzPFhADResNZymwKphFjWoqzRoWAkXwsAXa5QiG_iOwNlM-IQrzp1pRNnxPZ2JT0o/s624/IMG_20230711_124656653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKsp7yWAR4HZWkO-v4oSQXZPp9hQw3aytcewUnWGfHqOpQx8ba28LW5-_RQDaZfakH9aYF9JvPq670aL8XqGyk5DNuJc4U0v5tdveuXZfGDo8SfTXRePZvwxEv3SXzPFhADResNZymwKphFjWoqzRoWAkXwsAXa5QiG_iOwNlM-IQrzp1pRNnxPZ2JT0o/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_124656653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21st Ligne's battalions reach the stream, a cloud of voltiguer out front. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTbkdXP55N11aYb6rHIGwgXHsZiW3dp1LJaU37Vo_bPGsIzmUK73FtTGUS707UlRp9HGEK3ZvlULJxB2uKVYrD_kjqFOhkiMvztj16jnx2oVORHAj545gL059fQhts_YLRcyzgURhuJ20EGtnrKaV_372J2T6hoELBS7QoHxZrDk21FLJJ54XvBZvlvfE/s624/IMG_20230711_124706378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTbkdXP55N11aYb6rHIGwgXHsZiW3dp1LJaU37Vo_bPGsIzmUK73FtTGUS707UlRp9HGEK3ZvlULJxB2uKVYrD_kjqFOhkiMvztj16jnx2oVORHAj545gL059fQhts_YLRcyzgURhuJ20EGtnrKaV_372J2T6hoELBS7QoHxZrDk21FLJJ54XvBZvlvfE/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_124706378.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst a few Austrian skirmishes take potshots outside the village. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeERhHByJUYwjxX-3kZCMABX0w7BHtHlEzhKS6JCfMRKg9nB0QPV3danlwlxJL7VIbRx_t7KN3shVE8CdMLOaFH3V4cPGvEb4gJnRfc0ZDKClCK1fz_y2Q9fnjo_D4XcHfF14D4bMaSddBXk4nddYHO3X2mqUFkGWJFHGni3c326vRZBENGQl1CwShFf2/s624/IMG_20230711_124928297.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeERhHByJUYwjxX-3kZCMABX0w7BHtHlEzhKS6JCfMRKg9nB0QPV3danlwlxJL7VIbRx_t7KN3shVE8CdMLOaFH3V4cPGvEb4gJnRfc0ZDKClCK1fz_y2Q9fnjo_D4XcHfF14D4bMaSddBXk4nddYHO3X2mqUFkGWJFHGni3c326vRZBENGQl1CwShFf2/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_124928297.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuirassiers arrive on the French right and plunge through the stream. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFu0zVW86uotEQDPgdNGZZPgWzJlOFwyGVxyx4P-trOEYjEj5BdAqQmWBlvdkdNjcUUm7A0iaalTRLRDUMnTTrOG2S0-R3PjvLDVfwOLWSDF0NXIIJbn6vSIy-KzuxTVVb1y2Qzjp7iVs33CNkvxcXF6snrHKfpCOC_eXWNn-z0gGPO1vZezZHtqq-YQm/s624/IMG_20230711_141318715.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFu0zVW86uotEQDPgdNGZZPgWzJlOFwyGVxyx4P-trOEYjEj5BdAqQmWBlvdkdNjcUUm7A0iaalTRLRDUMnTTrOG2S0-R3PjvLDVfwOLWSDF0NXIIJbn6vSIy-KzuxTVVb1y2Qzjp7iVs33CNkvxcXF6snrHKfpCOC_eXWNn-z0gGPO1vZezZHtqq-YQm/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_141318715.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding the redoubt at the watchtower, it was never attacked. A few potshots at passing cuirassiers is all they added. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf_ynf85yFyoHTLBK0TnaB5Br7YY9mBh6OE7z7VaoksBCiNgSH_kwC4Zne2xVeIBJrIhK5SHZuI1aJAXiCVfFDmPlicG1ZvHZhM7sNiIZzhi8nU7eS9ORKVx9PbO6ZeqYgFWaTN3Al6EXlDAOcmyvSk0aBKoNtnYS2zBCIELiL6ilGi59WlzyrmHdSLwp/s624/IMG_20230711_141004419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf_ynf85yFyoHTLBK0TnaB5Br7YY9mBh6OE7z7VaoksBCiNgSH_kwC4Zne2xVeIBJrIhK5SHZuI1aJAXiCVfFDmPlicG1ZvHZhM7sNiIZzhi8nU7eS9ORKVx9PbO6ZeqYgFWaTN3Al6EXlDAOcmyvSk0aBKoNtnYS2zBCIELiL6ilGi59WlzyrmHdSLwp/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_141004419.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More skirmishers keep the French busy. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JCwOiN7u5HSOogRAcZjiwgaybitqQ_FcfGI-R4TNTelZYDyQUKGPSih0QA6NXBHjidvaQ77HuLQ5Uguqjma8r9OFV3mksypIS4a62vHad9UFAso32P5jXxEfa7jyYpXHQrAvTKlYQJC8vogMk6g_VHls2NRm6V3AYTSwL1MnwM8ZqBuGNxio3w1EVb1c/s624/IMG_20230711_135354081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JCwOiN7u5HSOogRAcZjiwgaybitqQ_FcfGI-R4TNTelZYDyQUKGPSih0QA6NXBHjidvaQ77HuLQ5Uguqjma8r9OFV3mksypIS4a62vHad9UFAso32P5jXxEfa7jyYpXHQrAvTKlYQJC8vogMk6g_VHls2NRm6V3AYTSwL1MnwM8ZqBuGNxio3w1EVb1c/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_135354081.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big boots gallop up, then form into attack columns. Sabres outs!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF1Ha2W437Dfp_2PV92thYufsClaFSIfN6VytjPSBTfZej47mHgtGgOV9akXuZWBOn15bQ5Lc6-CDIxGhB2SjmduHHsEUSvroFgWbxSC4mA2mXdlEhFtYkaGmyT8X1DnCW9DpWtCTbNZCf3liQ26CmzkFg3qfusjpoU8aGgiAU2gWd8K-qXdbSa1yt6CP/s624/IMG_20230711_151835653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF1Ha2W437Dfp_2PV92thYufsClaFSIfN6VytjPSBTfZej47mHgtGgOV9akXuZWBOn15bQ5Lc6-CDIxGhB2SjmduHHsEUSvroFgWbxSC4mA2mXdlEhFtYkaGmyT8X1DnCW9DpWtCTbNZCf3liQ26CmzkFg3qfusjpoU8aGgiAU2gWd8K-qXdbSa1yt6CP/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_151835653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best view of the village, lone skirmisher in the watchtower... it was small and round, our model was large and square... hey-ho...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOponV7WxD1MCT1jltl1TZE7khb0JHSExKV_g7AOaQU15VZwpd6ol1nCCkSzKsev5xygs595b5L75suY4vqIv47mN2y5sgX0v08J9APeD07cyqIAWV7sMX74fPReP_aXcaICgZAPMEv981rN-zItMEsjt54PhmPvlf0ipzIqAPuaFClWysSnp46SFxaIyi/s624/IMG_20230711_151854510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOponV7WxD1MCT1jltl1TZE7khb0JHSExKV_g7AOaQU15VZwpd6ol1nCCkSzKsev5xygs595b5L75suY4vqIv47mN2y5sgX0v08J9APeD07cyqIAWV7sMX74fPReP_aXcaICgZAPMEv981rN-zItMEsjt54PhmPvlf0ipzIqAPuaFClWysSnp46SFxaIyi/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_151854510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skirmish line is reinforced, but can't do much damage. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbOwVwETLXkksOKHxnU3jBATn6vD1pZ7cb2b0f50rUrBIljs-0ocjBd0JLFdQtux10pyRAEhiAFGIWSnw3AQqJdf3I65GZHjjQ3_VOgDvIxH2EV_KG1_bZ-lXuEbPKich_lA3ydD9NB29T3G2c79oR6N0c3_XVBt3Eh6nibv4Hu3DIvWqCXHsyAvPAOdU/s624/IMG_20230711_154000377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbOwVwETLXkksOKHxnU3jBATn6vD1pZ7cb2b0f50rUrBIljs-0ocjBd0JLFdQtux10pyRAEhiAFGIWSnw3AQqJdf3I65GZHjjQ3_VOgDvIxH2EV_KG1_bZ-lXuEbPKich_lA3ydD9NB29T3G2c79oR6N0c3_XVBt3Eh6nibv4Hu3DIvWqCXHsyAvPAOdU/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_154000377.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vive L'Empereur, one of the 21st Line's column drives home with the bayonet and sees off the Austrian firing line. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE373Rd9huuR-3V6MvINN1wFNAaDXYpte6WX336KllXVQ0TvLk9MnzS2gCN1feJDXIkl2pYplPqtYNq0OWymUNFNbINr4n7cZ_m4Ftle1670Vlfax8menQ4UcUekC6nXggF6Fio2eqo9WwpxDYIBK-ROq_OHnmzLknttWeLYBTDuKe5q_4NRfNE-MEt9d/s624/IMG_20230711_150309622.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE373Rd9huuR-3V6MvINN1wFNAaDXYpte6WX336KllXVQ0TvLk9MnzS2gCN1feJDXIkl2pYplPqtYNq0OWymUNFNbINr4n7cZ_m4Ftle1670Vlfax8menQ4UcUekC6nXggF6Fio2eqo9WwpxDYIBK-ROq_OHnmzLknttWeLYBTDuKe5q_4NRfNE-MEt9d/w400-h300/IMG_20230711_150309622.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuirassiers charge in, do damage, but don't break the square. The second charge would shatter the second square utterly, ending the game. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-18071985194227053322023-07-04T08:30:00.003-07:002023-07-04T11:54:04.058-07:00Cavalry Action @ Wagram, scenario 9 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>On to game 9, with just 1 more to go in our Wagram series. This scenario was set on the far French right (Austrian left) flank of the battle, as the Austrians dispatched all their cavalry reserve around the flank and were intercepted by the French cavalry, waiting in position for just such a move. There followed a big all-in cavalry brawl, with the Austrians initially getting the upper hand against French light cavalry, only for the French dragoons to arrive and swing the battle, then more Austrians dragoons to come in, and well, it got messy. The French eventually prevailed though, as was their habit. <br /><br />In our game, we both had all cavalry forces, two French light cavalry brigades of hussars and chasseurs (and few horse batteries) against an Austrian light brigade and a mixed brigade of hussars, dragoons and one cuirassier regiment. Both sides had more dragoons in reserve. This stretched our cavalry collections to breaking point, but we borrowed a few units from other nation’s hussars (the Austrians got a Spanish regiment) and some cuirassiers would have to proxy for dragoons. <br /><br />In our game, this battle was a swirling mess of combats, charges and counter-charges, the guns did little and both commanders found it hard to break the others, because cavalry unit quality is so good, rallying them is easier (plenty of cards) and small brigade sizes made for no real Orders stress… generally, you can do everything you want to. So, repeat melees were the order of the day, as we both found one melee win wasn’t going to achieve very much (but nap us +1 VP). <br /><br />The battle developed on both flanks, first the Austrians heavies pounding across the fields with glee towards French hussars and chasseurs and on the other flank, his hussar rushing up, eyeing an artillery battery they could quickly overrun, but being thwarted with a ‘fierce cavalry charge’ from Austrian hussars in response, that saw them win the first fight of the day… and it began…<br /><br />My plan was to try and quickly hammer his left with my heavier right, before he could get his reserves in. I moved ‘at the quick’ and closed in. A handy ‘Reserves Redeploying’ event allowed me to get my reserve dragoons in sooner, as well as my Corps commander arriving too, getting me a bonus orders card. The French were up against it, on card plays alone. Pressure on, my cuirassiers met his hussar and drove them off, but they easily rallied. As the supporting dragoons closed in, a sudden bold chasseurs flank charge from behind the barn saw them wheel away to rally and regroup. Cannons added to the damage. The centre was all quiet, a bit of manoeuvring, but as yet neither player committed to much here. <br /><br />The fight continued on both flanks, charge and counter-charge, I won, he won… no major breakthroughs. But his left was being pushed back, maybe off the table edge if I could get home another charge and win the melee. Behind the right, I used a lo of orders to get my arriving reserve dragoons across the table, and a ‘well drilled’ card saw them break from rapid line of march into line of attack, very slick. By now, the Austrians had a lead in with the VPs and the French were in need of their reserve dragoons, under Pully and Grouchy. Neither yet showed up… Grouchy has that reputation…<br /><br />The French were fending off the Austrians and rallying to keep in the fight. Another fierce cavalry charge saw his hard-pushed hussar win a melee and drive my cuirassiers away, their third engagement so far (in the end they met 5 times before the hussars were pushed off the table). <br /><br />On my far left, my hussars had pushed up and another round of indecisive melees left us both trying to rally and failing to get back into good order. A note here on dice rolling; we both used our re-rolls early, me to get my reserves and to press a few charges. The French to get off a few charges and in rallying for good order. Now, at the mercy of our dice, the number of failed attempts to charge, or repeated failed attempts to get back in good order defied all odds. We passed 3+ rolls about 1 in 5 times… hussars are now notoriously unreliable. This extended the game by a few turns, because we could get things done! So frustrating, but about equal on both sides. Some dice need burning…<br /><br />In the centre my big hussar regiment made their moved and raced for his guns, only to be intercepted by chasseurs, who they fought off, and then, in the confusion, the chasseurs were ‘stalled’. Unable to move. The French guns at their mercy, my ‘glorious’ hussars then failed to charge 3 times and just stood about being hit by canister shells and a carbine volley, and then fell back to rally… useless fops! By the time they rallied, half of them were dead! <br /><br />That opportunity squandered, it came down to the fight on my right. The fresh dragoons made their first charge and fought off the chasseurs, who had but up a remarkable fight. There was a swirling melee of chasseurs, hussars, cuirassiers and dragoons, which the Austrians won, but not by much. <br /><br />Now, the first French dragoons arrived in his centre. Had the tables turned? Last chance for me to get this done before they intervened. By fortune, lacking cards, the French needed to rally and just didn’t have the order to get those dragoons moving quickly into the fray, I did have the cards to press home, got 5 charges off, finally rolling above about a 2… and in doing so achieved the ‘Grand Assault’ objective. This turn, the heroic defensive efforts of the French finally succumbed to the pressure. Hussars broke, and the VPs earned scored a solid win to the Austrians. 14 VPs to the French, 30 to the Austrians. A rare win… hurrah for the hussars (no boo to the hussars, huzzah to the cuirassiers and dragoons). <br /><br />The action cards, at least early on, had been kind to me. The reserve redeploying early meant I had another brigade and the senior office arriving gave me +2 cards over the French, and its tough to play against that mismatch for long. Also, French dragoons are lazy gits, failing multiple times to show-up, in the end, it was too late. Still, it helps with the campaign, with 1 game to play, the scores on the doors are now France 10 - Austria 5… I can make it respectable with a final win in game 10, next week. <br /> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Mlmni-glT4gIgiOUp9u0pm9YCMH1TelR1iElRO7lklTwswfuMH8AC3HmUPJw85K6TBsDEOkzIBr03Bn4HMGs4gE04NOZNfHdb_vX8NKcGWOPHCBiPDhxc-lxw2mcIefX4icaN6fBXEMBM41dwMBOGGhSHtpl4TIA23gaCKfExX-G09rmrK2SoRRurj6/s691/IMG_20230624_102345135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Mlmni-glT4gIgiOUp9u0pm9YCMH1TelR1iElRO7lklTwswfuMH8AC3HmUPJw85K6TBsDEOkzIBr03Bn4HMGs4gE04NOZNfHdb_vX8NKcGWOPHCBiPDhxc-lxw2mcIefX4icaN6fBXEMBM41dwMBOGGhSHtpl4TIA23gaCKfExX-G09rmrK2SoRRurj6/w361-h400/IMG_20230624_102345135.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attack and counter-attack, most of the fighting would be on the left and right flanks, the centre, covered by the artillery, was largely spurned until the end. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7Igkjyj_RRoRe54ADS4CEGHUhcopi_a1ulV7vlsfaz-hnZfeERoGojX0viHDw9cLReE6RiOOKFahY1ViHH-ogp7w06isEEEx1faz-awtr3XR5Y6gwKJBZL94yPGLRYnCHJ_BMy7UE0EHcl0Ra1NGdkEa3JoGbkhOe2VsPAJNdSs4ciRrjK6zs53hM52F/s624/IMG_20230624_102325162.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7Igkjyj_RRoRe54ADS4CEGHUhcopi_a1ulV7vlsfaz-hnZfeERoGojX0viHDw9cLReE6RiOOKFahY1ViHH-ogp7w06isEEEx1faz-awtr3XR5Y6gwKJBZL94yPGLRYnCHJ_BMy7UE0EHcl0Ra1NGdkEa3JoGbkhOe2VsPAJNdSs4ciRrjK6zs53hM52F/w300-h400/IMG_20230624_102325162.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austria's finest, the cuirassiers lead the gallop on my far right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR-Jo7TDUmf-RqBLLwqp5ZrvjvGzGarX5ZuH1ezUUV1CApm0EVpBwX8w0W5bSksv2PkGw_C13GFbltVioPFYz3xb8Ir_cUH3HIybC0EB7BdtGQstDImbS3ZOacAencs_o8AHDcTrxv2S6uUq2mefQAZQb3Gkp5eFaf3H4lfLu3lZ3ZE5nf1pT75ZtjFb8/s624/IMG_20230624_102332466.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR-Jo7TDUmf-RqBLLwqp5ZrvjvGzGarX5ZuH1ezUUV1CApm0EVpBwX8w0W5bSksv2PkGw_C13GFbltVioPFYz3xb8Ir_cUH3HIybC0EB7BdtGQstDImbS3ZOacAencs_o8AHDcTrxv2S6uUq2mefQAZQb3Gkp5eFaf3H4lfLu3lZ3ZE5nf1pT75ZtjFb8/w300-h400/IMG_20230624_102332466.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French left, facing the heavies, hussars put up a helluva fight. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHkeTNF_cCWfU80elqtQSlrCKBhzXVfy6MOpjdKVdmFaMBd-SjQi9D8reS2mznZbj0Ukj4E6tzMt3hYDBXZbwKH9I301zjuQkRYtY37MsTr9fE6pOAxjd1pnEa14D13WC7aPFxXXQXcjxIdEqBYdkdBDPbVtLHbSaRWPqt-KByvbEwLzpnF_Q3SQlfYX5/s624/IMG_20230624_104227345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHkeTNF_cCWfU80elqtQSlrCKBhzXVfy6MOpjdKVdmFaMBd-SjQi9D8reS2mznZbj0Ukj4E6tzMt3hYDBXZbwKH9I301zjuQkRYtY37MsTr9fE6pOAxjd1pnEa14D13WC7aPFxXXQXcjxIdEqBYdkdBDPbVtLHbSaRWPqt-KByvbEwLzpnF_Q3SQlfYX5/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_104227345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hussars vs hussar, a fierce charge sees off the first French foray forwards. Then both retire a rally. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cuNuHUo6KKf8ZSmN6ooRTnfoKolugaxqYNZw4v8Qjzn4bVdfhfjITH0d_rWT16v0Q2OPBJ3l9Ga--v2jrMhyKOc7jBHV7eFurlBmP6RujZ-QfUJVATraP82UU--PkbAKUEM6F9n4-rE0mq3hHllkLIV8zJGrQJcn-YyHZDwZF6iYGAinLMEM2YV1B1uU/s624/IMG_20230624_105503364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cuNuHUo6KKf8ZSmN6ooRTnfoKolugaxqYNZw4v8Qjzn4bVdfhfjITH0d_rWT16v0Q2OPBJ3l9Ga--v2jrMhyKOc7jBHV7eFurlBmP6RujZ-QfUJVATraP82UU--PkbAKUEM6F9n4-rE0mq3hHllkLIV8zJGrQJcn-YyHZDwZF6iYGAinLMEM2YV1B1uU/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_105503364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chevau-leger, lurking behind the copse, my last reserve of desperation. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEV6lPACgex8ktm0R4HpQuuE3kDoe4-Cyu763Uox38Fr_l0EwyO0uPbcw4UT7LA4nwd_KW-eH6k-3Kibr-sRhL6vgOUl2UV2wONr3bmFKStP8aVF1ZnhTKpEpJFGfFcFC3nYG05YJTwD62LspQ9rgz0ffU9OHBZomLdkGtbllPQwE4DNP-QudkmYQiG8C/s624/IMG_20230624_110219277.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEV6lPACgex8ktm0R4HpQuuE3kDoe4-Cyu763Uox38Fr_l0EwyO0uPbcw4UT7LA4nwd_KW-eH6k-3Kibr-sRhL6vgOUl2UV2wONr3bmFKStP8aVF1ZnhTKpEpJFGfFcFC3nYG05YJTwD62LspQ9rgz0ffU9OHBZomLdkGtbllPQwE4DNP-QudkmYQiG8C/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_110219277.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a first clash of sabres, the cuirassiers and the hussars both rally, both want to get back in good order before the other. Behind, the ill-fated dragoons pass the barn. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0PU-l5-9bB884-I81LVBhWddaO8kTyqdKJSSLlza12YLObzkOMcIvl6F1y0PS35yvMt1IZsn3fzoONLyVWuNtPzU4haUTSn6QFCXAUoNAoh42_k5TL82yFjwtgmbwJUoj6dNEZ7ybulZu5vHN71o2opHLAqBOq7TSEhKlnF3Fs1HqwPKIWUkjde3hbuv/s624/IMG_20230624_111531857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0PU-l5-9bB884-I81LVBhWddaO8kTyqdKJSSLlza12YLObzkOMcIvl6F1y0PS35yvMt1IZsn3fzoONLyVWuNtPzU4haUTSn6QFCXAUoNAoh42_k5TL82yFjwtgmbwJUoj6dNEZ7ybulZu5vHN71o2opHLAqBOq7TSEhKlnF3Fs1HqwPKIWUkjde3hbuv/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_111531857.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charge! This turned into a mess under counter-charges. Never got those guns. Dragoons driven off. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqPjmk83pqQj8-pmX0FsQMVer9hsXmO70GJ5IUQzwssyW0S0PNLCADG5s-2bR9jojfRtlkjNwo3c0RftbUeT2IncC13t58a0wOKCcbOXQa8xYnOMi4nO0tgkxTjQHdePszDkn5GuMFVopYJ-muAIB36u6iRcoAlfj0IRzaCCRVjF617Osp77nKKtWJI3O/s624/IMG_20230624_111541393.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqPjmk83pqQj8-pmX0FsQMVer9hsXmO70GJ5IUQzwssyW0S0PNLCADG5s-2bR9jojfRtlkjNwo3c0RftbUeT2IncC13t58a0wOKCcbOXQa8xYnOMi4nO0tgkxTjQHdePszDkn5GuMFVopYJ-muAIB36u6iRcoAlfj0IRzaCCRVjF617Osp77nKKtWJI3O/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_111541393.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hussar! Ready to ride across the centre, take those guns. Epic fail...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyvPiaBxAMz0LLDvveCaWW_RRkR6ETTEWaDqWhP2UFykgAZJs3GM8zG5bSl2OkbAPoqF3cHbGRwwS-WeNePWBj8SFVLScfo3pLWUGrQGjIH1WA5W3sIDh7iNT2gN1FcP_RsVt1v1l1GcwsnGrvUD4S0b85iviGgYUi3SBQgoYHr_FJ6doDhtuzXLN98t3/s624/IMG_20230624_114551764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyvPiaBxAMz0LLDvveCaWW_RRkR6ETTEWaDqWhP2UFykgAZJs3GM8zG5bSl2OkbAPoqF3cHbGRwwS-WeNePWBj8SFVLScfo3pLWUGrQGjIH1WA5W3sIDh7iNT2gN1FcP_RsVt1v1l1GcwsnGrvUD4S0b85iviGgYUi3SBQgoYHr_FJ6doDhtuzXLN98t3/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_114551764.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French chasseurs intercept the glorious hussar charge and save the guns. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmmSQS06Rua3CfQegZPrBuUzZsOs2_1JwvD9SM5Wm1hMc1XGdRdMf_r5ueiDmZlzy_C3Vn7DH4zJdV_d-wGGT7ukaVlMvuHZsQ5YQabwo-dQJt9962kKORQ_JwDVv5PmuEV-HxN0Zpoe1RyT4wGTwgOa4wiKo9rbbhVXdmMpz88fbRwtCqDZUqw9_ilD_/s624/IMG_20230624_114600724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmmSQS06Rua3CfQegZPrBuUzZsOs2_1JwvD9SM5Wm1hMc1XGdRdMf_r5ueiDmZlzy_C3Vn7DH4zJdV_d-wGGT7ukaVlMvuHZsQ5YQabwo-dQJt9962kKORQ_JwDVv5PmuEV-HxN0Zpoe1RyT4wGTwgOa4wiKo9rbbhVXdmMpz88fbRwtCqDZUqw9_ilD_/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_114600724.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuirassiers keep up the pressure on the right, and plunge forwards into the hussars again, and again!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIhwtCybl-K3vou-c0dYW1PgoRppgkM8o3J7bChLMtobycqyBoLjPpoVsgv8UVvg5JZi8aSi5_di7jOQBJ36oYoBxmR1w1D7_QRmfgZXAtprfYgYNgvXR-gyvmjbuC49l3L52DB5RyrXnLB12jl01Y-QPt4sj_h0VNFoTuvS2DpKclV9ZSKOawl46csXa/s624/IMG_20230624_121006253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIhwtCybl-K3vou-c0dYW1PgoRppgkM8o3J7bChLMtobycqyBoLjPpoVsgv8UVvg5JZi8aSi5_di7jOQBJ36oYoBxmR1w1D7_QRmfgZXAtprfYgYNgvXR-gyvmjbuC49l3L52DB5RyrXnLB12jl01Y-QPt4sj_h0VNFoTuvS2DpKclV9ZSKOawl46csXa/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_121006253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hussars are back on the table edge now. Bold brigade commander is out front, danger means nothing... until you fail an 'At Risk' test. Costly. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4i13tJNM4ownbNLIw9Kryu93F8gibH1tCu7eraqeaJjnoqx7f8h9ym2hwgUulVcSiI7p5yP86VbvrkwLRYikAWrIksBz0CGYTDuko8F2hmV8pmgp-qoHdSTX3Abp-gyT7gT8Bxjka1otQ_weAGG0xVkfKedjZCX9Z9Ui2kVTHjkkDK7heor6U9f9ckwy/s624/IMG_20230624_121019870.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4i13tJNM4ownbNLIw9Kryu93F8gibH1tCu7eraqeaJjnoqx7f8h9ym2hwgUulVcSiI7p5yP86VbvrkwLRYikAWrIksBz0CGYTDuko8F2hmV8pmgp-qoHdSTX3Abp-gyT7gT8Bxjka1otQ_weAGG0xVkfKedjZCX9Z9Ui2kVTHjkkDK7heor6U9f9ckwy/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_121019870.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse battery, still alive, canister loaded. Hussars to blast. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJrNjHK-C6o-q9h5CjpWHpfkBP1STDwTKsgDEitdVlXceaw36afc5oZy1JylT_JqCYEP3bZH-fFxNirDRWbGXSSMGYlG23vORj0goLsKb9i_mLVIsdd3V2wHQVwBT0o6G_LIOVFMpdtrDbE9Q5kLycZ4_BFIP7i8m567-QtznmS2eSTjtAa_NecSGSKNp/s624/IMG_20230624_121031365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJrNjHK-C6o-q9h5CjpWHpfkBP1STDwTKsgDEitdVlXceaw36afc5oZy1JylT_JqCYEP3bZH-fFxNirDRWbGXSSMGYlG23vORj0goLsKb9i_mLVIsdd3V2wHQVwBT0o6G_LIOVFMpdtrDbE9Q5kLycZ4_BFIP7i8m567-QtznmS2eSTjtAa_NecSGSKNp/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_121031365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French left, regrouped after a couple of rally cards. All under control here. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTbFZccM64EX82ae_iVHS0q9U5oehXmxL2AXfGNiC7HmMGU-ehSBc2fG5-rl1twCl96dOWbS93IlxvZaRlKO8zusu3bJF_gYO0YozWm6XV2zECb5aAUKXuz-bx9ZuwkyF3s8x3BFgCKWD5oV6uBCITPaSGoD1PqZVVZpR5a9BAAQkWqpREk_htVRe-p-g/s624/IMG_20230624_131205534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTbFZccM64EX82ae_iVHS0q9U5oehXmxL2AXfGNiC7HmMGU-ehSBc2fG5-rl1twCl96dOWbS93IlxvZaRlKO8zusu3bJF_gYO0YozWm6XV2zECb5aAUKXuz-bx9ZuwkyF3s8x3BFgCKWD5oV6uBCITPaSGoD1PqZVVZpR5a9BAAQkWqpREk_htVRe-p-g/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_131205534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hussars retreat from the fray, and the chevau-leger are called forward to replace them. Mission not accomplished here. Very poor performance... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBklW7RCpXK2olAbG89D6QdT5UdWMlETP-JfNlhTAwlMY6I2wMMXaPbPQbtxAf3bNv_3hsh1tYujWrl1UyN-lU8YJ8ktpmvGLaDG7wz63iM6ywms8N69EC7YiUqgM9sO7TNB1Nd0o7dM6ngUY-lTY_xnbgjkl2vsSs4Gxby1TsKoeVUmZsSAR21qdfUTn/s624/IMG_20230624_131215875.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBklW7RCpXK2olAbG89D6QdT5UdWMlETP-JfNlhTAwlMY6I2wMMXaPbPQbtxAf3bNv_3hsh1tYujWrl1UyN-lU8YJ8ktpmvGLaDG7wz63iM6ywms8N69EC7YiUqgM9sO7TNB1Nd0o7dM6ngUY-lTY_xnbgjkl2vsSs4Gxby1TsKoeVUmZsSAR21qdfUTn/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_131215875.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pully's dragoons... here come the (bigger) cavalry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi_hqDSB98kUZWWyPEHObNBxbuV0T87FeR94Ww4H-5kaqg0Rfw2XZ4p33LZb8wkM4_dV9uA45jtlTjnhrN5cYb_i6OC6_VpoMtNTgVOMpogxspYhlbCdgaU-Ms0jlftnYZRzkZUzJ1kgP515Y_J8pc4Guo1ukCnrpAHaPNDlrprFxcSHnswvl3hUy7FY9/s624/IMG_20230624_132613491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi_hqDSB98kUZWWyPEHObNBxbuV0T87FeR94Ww4H-5kaqg0Rfw2XZ4p33LZb8wkM4_dV9uA45jtlTjnhrN5cYb_i6OC6_VpoMtNTgVOMpogxspYhlbCdgaU-Ms0jlftnYZRzkZUzJ1kgP515Y_J8pc4Guo1ukCnrpAHaPNDlrprFxcSHnswvl3hUy7FY9/w400-h300/IMG_20230624_132613491.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All in on the right, one big melee. Green dice are disruption, red are at risk tests required. Boldly into the fray for both command stands... the Austrians prevail... makes a nice change. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-33152837176473143612023-06-22T07:18:00.003-07:002023-06-22T07:18:48.711-07:00Oudinot's attack across the Russbach Stream @ Wagram, scenario 8 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>Game 8, and this time a supporting attack by Oudinot's Corps to pin the Austrians in place in their left-centre and stop them reinforcing the beset left flank. A tricky scenario to write, as the French must attack but with far weaker infantry force and the Austrians stronger forces are only defending and trying to (when requested) send some spare battalions off the table to their left. It took some tweaking after the scenario to get this right and feel balanced and stop a French commander from simple sitting back, shelling the Austrians a bit and not actually trying to get across the Russbach stream, which is roughly across the centre of the table. Anyhow, playing the game is part of writing the scenario, to iron them out and, historical scenarios can always have extra, special or exceptional rules added over the usual. This one has a fair few now, but feels a bit different to the all out attacks of earlier. <br /> </p><p>In our game, played over the same battlefield as scenario 1, the village of Baumersdorf on my far right and stream across the front, with the Austrians still on the high ground, played out with the French seeking to attack at Baumersdorf and in the centre, whilst holding back their weakest (their right) brigade. Behind them, they do have Colbert’s light cavalry in resrve, but only for emergencies or in certain situations can they deploy (it didn’t occur in our game). I’ll keep this quick, but the attempt to capture Baumersdorf (again) was thwarted because with dire dice rolls, so most of the village was already on fire, making occupying it with our large battalions impossible. Te village was flaming ruin. Only a few skirmishers would operate here, and the fight for the village itself was a complete non-starter. However, the fight just outside it and across the stream was the crux of the battle. French columns came up, under some (pretty rubbish) Austrian artillery fire (little changes, except for a single howitzer that just couldn’t miss, first 4 dice all hits!, I am a howitzer convert).<br /><br />I moved up to block the line of the stream and try and hold it, but early French artillery fire and a solid volley from two columns set one battalion fleeing early, leaving a hole in the lines. I had to send down another battalion to try and block it. Meanwhile, there was musket fire all along the Russbach, all even-stevens, as both sides took some damage but rallied it off. I was waiting until Turn 6 when I could start to move battalions off left and gain VPs for them, and had my landwehr ready to be sent left (sorry, all we can spare!). The French were not waiting though, they sent a first charge across the Russbach and beat my infantry back, then followed up with a withering volley (thankfully only with columns) than broke another Austrian line battalion. Ouch! They pushed hard to exploit the hole in my lines on the Russbach, with skirmish fire (some at my gunners, who had to duck for cover). I was forced to rally again and the French had, after breaking 2 battalions, jumped out to a lead on VPs. <br /><br />Out on the left (French right) there was a skirmish fire exchanged a few volleys that didn’t do much and the fight here was desultory. The real melee was in the centre and the French charged again and drove another of my battalions back, showing greater grit. I counter-charged and, by some miracle of terrible dice, lost the fight. In the meantime, I also lost the ‘How Goes the Day’ roll badly, my boys were windy and news from the left flank was bad… the Wagram might fall… and the French were now close to winning. In turn 6 I got to march 2 landwehr battalions away and gain the VPs, and the French made a Rally or two to gain me a few more, but the pressure in the centre was too much. Somehow outnumbered here now, I lost a third battalion trying to hold the stream line, skirmish fire, volley and a last gasp bayonet charge saw them run, and that was that… the French had won. <br /><br />It was a solid victory, a poor showing from my boys and making it 11-2 on campaign VPs to the Grand Army. General Oudinot had done his job with his pinning attack, helping doom the Austrian left flank. We move on game 9 of the campaign, back to the far left flank as the two side’s cavalry brigades clash (an all cavalry fight, something a bit different). But it seems, the Wagram position is doomed and Napoleon will win the day… Archduke Charles is already thinking that retreat might be best course of action (and it is only lunchtime). Two games to go, let’s see if the Austrians can salvage some martial pride. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK00Xo8-0UGVXg5hnKqnt2NY6wBTHJMGY1rhakndtdTLwGCEYQIOwEyD53P9zu7k-e4dnWf_zdGPwCEx2VwEPMlTFK5MQARipT2PaKVnlam3KNfjEKNUPRzXMfq1oZoZH4X8m0JGys9KnGQuzFTL2vVuIgwmIMCuI3PUBTh0SXvPH8mRHSjOuKv0QxaOZ/s624/IMG_20230611_110536075.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK00Xo8-0UGVXg5hnKqnt2NY6wBTHJMGY1rhakndtdTLwGCEYQIOwEyD53P9zu7k-e4dnWf_zdGPwCEx2VwEPMlTFK5MQARipT2PaKVnlam3KNfjEKNUPRzXMfq1oZoZH4X8m0JGys9KnGQuzFTL2vVuIgwmIMCuI3PUBTh0SXvPH8mRHSjOuKv0QxaOZ/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_110536075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full array of Austrian deployment. We ran out of stream so improvised with a line of small ponds/marshes (note, buy 2 ft more stream). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZvmgwf9oXwG9EQpfib1NoKI3Gmuq2HCoMEsauBEVkw-p5xRhdEdOObbTE89M1AMKIEwE_iRyVDy6LFz8DZzITUdF7MWSsftcmt4LXPfydFOhbvtMM4WZmq_MoKAcCFJxiwlHqRYoNyozUJn3WDJC3uloI88sjgoYRVcyQBDmTlfpXykZNoF3brjU_Sy9/s624/IMG_20230611_110421387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZvmgwf9oXwG9EQpfib1NoKI3Gmuq2HCoMEsauBEVkw-p5xRhdEdOObbTE89M1AMKIEwE_iRyVDy6LFz8DZzITUdF7MWSsftcmt4LXPfydFOhbvtMM4WZmq_MoKAcCFJxiwlHqRYoNyozUJn3WDJC3uloI88sjgoYRVcyQBDmTlfpXykZNoF3brjU_Sy9/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_110421387.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrians deployed along the Wagram, overlooking the Russbach. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwOUbfu_gVwl5oXTjDObRhYp_RE-BKxB87epWLTy8Yngm2nmrjaCWmTZC3uqOKZZMyTLg1fDfbb0Mcr6PD464YMq6GPooSzFzruYdTnDuivMjcZt-Okr5zfivzqzz4EHyk7_te3j9sQ0xgcB91VQ-gXQF70H-72M1A5w889l6v1NTL7oWZpVc-qFqtwZl/s624/IMG_20230611_112545814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwOUbfu_gVwl5oXTjDObRhYp_RE-BKxB87epWLTy8Yngm2nmrjaCWmTZC3uqOKZZMyTLg1fDfbb0Mcr6PD464YMq6GPooSzFzruYdTnDuivMjcZt-Okr5zfivzqzz4EHyk7_te3j9sQ0xgcB91VQ-gXQF70H-72M1A5w889l6v1NTL7oWZpVc-qFqtwZl/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_112545814.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March up to the stream, under heavy fire, and suddenly, they break... an early set back. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeNg5xkHzzD2sNoM6xkAU2GEEGnSM_jIZjaVvOCK5kYqJgW3cxb3r7-s29pecmG5ft68cHG75CdxuFg7B2xBKEt6ukEgDOkVq3iauDaymmpjyQB7ksRwMej9B8zh9zB-rol8GayJcGebK4XDAnhPgDfmrxmGW28YZwbkhN6dlmEkGJgoCFEOoGLQf2Cqs/s624/IMG_20230611_112551297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeNg5xkHzzD2sNoM6xkAU2GEEGnSM_jIZjaVvOCK5kYqJgW3cxb3r7-s29pecmG5ft68cHG75CdxuFg7B2xBKEt6ukEgDOkVq3iauDaymmpjyQB7ksRwMej9B8zh9zB-rol8GayJcGebK4XDAnhPgDfmrxmGW28YZwbkhN6dlmEkGJgoCFEOoGLQf2Cqs/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_112551297.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget Baumersdorf, its on fire. Our 5-6 stand battalions could not deploy into the remaining buildings to occupy them. The French make a detour around it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRBipUUMrtRxUuwzvdXEcTYf0aiAua6s-d2IZLutEzGEjPgun3bQXtBK2hrC4EspT62SHUU0TFO1FCLDY9IWVeVj17aqMl8hY7cgzf7nA2AvgTstHY95LJHVjwp4kyxSfk9HbbCwd6BP3RyI07lDYUWrtB4ZfBpz7FMzuNxmldR1xYRmUFWwxKmFjHf3O/s624/IMG_20230611_120006274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRBipUUMrtRxUuwzvdXEcTYf0aiAua6s-d2IZLutEzGEjPgun3bQXtBK2hrC4EspT62SHUU0TFO1FCLDY9IWVeVj17aqMl8hY7cgzf7nA2AvgTstHY95LJHVjwp4kyxSfk9HbbCwd6BP3RyI07lDYUWrtB4ZfBpz7FMzuNxmldR1xYRmUFWwxKmFjHf3O/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_120006274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French are across the stream, reserves move up at the quick to drive them back. It didn't go well. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIc9IFqS0uIVF0mSkBDW_UMA1MygIbb5ZunqCUga7eMvsoVc4Cmi1HiyCQjDuiNM-C6Rnvg5-XNUQJj-FBZavVh6exxychBMu5nS2LsEDQDMms--z6m3WvMQwh-4c9NqkDvmqKjrjOPJ_PyIM4BqQR0-YuIyEy1Z1XnP6BgJVOKd9qg8OefFN_lKgfpes/s624/IMG_20230611_122422983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIc9IFqS0uIVF0mSkBDW_UMA1MygIbb5ZunqCUga7eMvsoVc4Cmi1HiyCQjDuiNM-C6Rnvg5-XNUQJj-FBZavVh6exxychBMu5nS2LsEDQDMms--z6m3WvMQwh-4c9NqkDvmqKjrjOPJ_PyIM4BqQR0-YuIyEy1Z1XnP6BgJVOKd9qg8OefFN_lKgfpes/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_122422983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vive 'L'Empereur! Columns across the Russbach in the centre, Voltiguers already out and making a pain of themselves. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ixuDoEF3J-Q_02faF9aTlihJmeMVK1ziolmWS3p_ScYZB9vseDiJLcayu_Uh0hfqp6SKu2CKJMSdmfmYPoS26NG_BieEnpSKV66OwCnVsEibc7FZdtXvCjcShbSrQoARNiNHzjmtf2RLf9TyAtM76vZDpUDOKV4HosUFJMYmFpusU1rTT51yj_I_B_w/s624/IMG_20230611_122451630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ixuDoEF3J-Q_02faF9aTlihJmeMVK1ziolmWS3p_ScYZB9vseDiJLcayu_Uh0hfqp6SKu2CKJMSdmfmYPoS26NG_BieEnpSKV66OwCnVsEibc7FZdtXvCjcShbSrQoARNiNHzjmtf2RLf9TyAtM76vZDpUDOKV4HosUFJMYmFpusU1rTT51yj_I_B_w/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_122451630.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hieght of the battle, as the French oush over the stream under fire. We mark a battery with smoke when it is low on ammo... in the rear, smoking Baumersdorf. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp886XKNx81jDl-7sBJ4LTI1GO_6R_bMojUiUaS2Jl832oqniBIQd3zeSjTubHhu3nVDkVdAkJ8yy1KKWReMNtp43_UPYcCjLLQmXICYcbUg0QlPmPNd92rQIiLz3CPzQmlUwv41xhRCChQYAsD6vgoCsQZIJAaIBN7Xd15LLRlgyJjlyqSN5j8VcQFvY/s624/IMG_20230611_125137921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp886XKNx81jDl-7sBJ4LTI1GO_6R_bMojUiUaS2Jl832oqniBIQd3zeSjTubHhu3nVDkVdAkJ8yy1KKWReMNtp43_UPYcCjLLQmXICYcbUg0QlPmPNd92rQIiLz3CPzQmlUwv41xhRCChQYAsD6vgoCsQZIJAaIBN7Xd15LLRlgyJjlyqSN5j8VcQFvY/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_125137921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A last ditch counter-attack by one of my columns. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb97EfgZr6o8yTm7wr9xRfjO7aiWv7A-kahQPNKI9gfwnNmRGlfAR1AT1ch9bB_aLi-So8Xp_2--06nZeApVM_WEfuN1vujevsiFoA4u5C_5P7ZAGS1k3NgL3KGE7zCToLHfS5N9s7fewcl5Kvzu7jAecRnppWBKLMOZsnFCv2DDhkB-aWVOhc5H16mvuy/s624/IMG_20230611_140355443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb97EfgZr6o8yTm7wr9xRfjO7aiWv7A-kahQPNKI9gfwnNmRGlfAR1AT1ch9bB_aLi-So8Xp_2--06nZeApVM_WEfuN1vujevsiFoA4u5C_5P7ZAGS1k3NgL3KGE7zCToLHfS5N9s7fewcl5Kvzu7jAecRnppWBKLMOZsnFCv2DDhkB-aWVOhc5H16mvuy/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_140355443.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They charge... they lose! No stopping these Frenchmen with their dander up. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_-qgw9kf2U5LIZJ_LCBFqLv6Xcu0ZINhnI0ABXuGhogaB8iczvV4RqanhJ3iadlSzDL9lPOZG3SwTNsx_CSxa_OiXosYThizAe2_vNnVP_2g8VsSXjYftsE6k81erZQ6Mav9VZXXLKDrFyuxnWk-sSMtF2ctqD4voGozjYcyLQW5Ip9M9w6yAuvn8ly4/s624/IMG_20230611_141136404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_-qgw9kf2U5LIZJ_LCBFqLv6Xcu0ZINhnI0ABXuGhogaB8iczvV4RqanhJ3iadlSzDL9lPOZG3SwTNsx_CSxa_OiXosYThizAe2_vNnVP_2g8VsSXjYftsE6k81erZQ6Mav9VZXXLKDrFyuxnWk-sSMtF2ctqD4voGozjYcyLQW5Ip9M9w6yAuvn8ly4/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_141136404.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian MVP, a single howitzer with a dead-eye crew... it lob shoots, it hits. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /> </p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-17529329225963593792023-06-06T06:32:00.003-07:002023-06-07T04:01:43.318-07:00Morand's Advance at Marksgrafneuseidl @ Wagram, scenario 7 with Soldiers of Napoleon. <p>Game 7, and we are in the heart of the campaign now. This scenario would see Morand’s division, of Davout’s Corps, launch its part in the Corps attack on the French left, at Markgrafneudeidl to take the eastern end of the Wagram and turn the Austrian flank here. At around 10am Davout launched his critical assault. The Austrians met Morand’s advance in the fields just east of the village, counter-attacking with two large infantry brigades, part of Rsoenberg’s Corps. It was all Rosenberg had to commit. For an hour there was heavy fighting and the Austrians counter stalled the French, but Davout still had another division to commit from reserve, Rosenberg’s cupboard was bare. We be recreating that hours fighting east of Marksgrafneuseidl.<br /><br />The tabletop was set, with the eastern end of the Wagram and a few buildings on the outskirts of Markgrafneuseidl, a meander in the Russbach stream and the rest as open flat fields, some cornfields. Morand commanded two large brigades, left and right, each of full 6 battalions and all at full strength (and his guns). The Austrians also had 2 large brigades, left and right, each of 8 regiments (each 6 musketeers, 2 landwehr) and guns. Very even.<br /><br />With few brigades, and lots of units in them, Orders would be an a premium for both commanders, and it was obvious some battalions wouldn’t be able to get heavily involved. Obviously, for my Austrians, the 4 landwehr battalions were placed at the back, out of harms way and a second line, waiting it out unless needed (and saving those Orders). The French began by moving up on their left towards the village cottages, having already held on to a ‘Take the Strongpoint’ objective (luck deal that). Light infantry in extended line screened marching columns to wade the stream at speed, moving ‘at the quick’. Up on the Wagram, my brigade fired their cannons and moved down to counter them. I couldn’t stop the French taking the cottages quickly, but held on to a ‘Grand Assault’ objective, as I was going to counter-attack and try and meet the French in the field’s centre, I might as well claim the extra VPs on offer as I did so (or so I thought). Both of us would really struggle to complete the battlefield objective (the French started with Grand Assault) because getting four battalions to charge on a 4+ (best we had) would prove hard (with our dice today). <br /><br />Fighting around the cottages would soon flair up, as attack columns met, mostly refused to charge and volleyed at each other instead (lots of that this game). The first engagement was inconclusive, the French won a melee, but then fell-back to rally, the Austrians won 1 melee, but then also had to rally. On the other side, both sides moved battalions up to face-off in attack columns, guns fired, did a few hits, but then the French guns were low on ammunition, so that nerfed them. The French claimed the handy strongpoint of the cottages and had a early lead in VPs… as usual. <br /><br />Now the fighting heated up, both switching Orders between brigades. The French pressed hard at Marksgrafneuseidl with 3 battalions in the attack, but 2 refused to charge and volleyed instead, leaving just one to take a hammering from Austrian fire and a counter-charge. It fell back and had to rally with losses. The Austrians stood firm here on the lower slopes of the Wagram, but their supporting battery also ran low on ammo… after doing good work. Artillery wouldn’t feature much from now on, it was all down to the infantry columns. <br /><br />On my right, the first clashes had seen the French driven back by my counter-charges, then rally well, get back swiftly in good order and charge back at me, driving my musketeers back in turn. It was even here, 4 line battalions each facing off, with a bit of skirmish fire adding to the damage, but in all, stalemate. On the VP scores, the French had edged further head, on melees won and a few cheap rallies for them. Drat! I need to complete the Grand Assault to get back in it.<br /><br />So, to the last turns and the Austria fixation on trying to get 4 charges off… I got 3, but the others all refused (command point re-rolls had long gone by now). It seems, on average, I pass about 1 in 3 50/50 dice rolls. Thwarted, I had one turn left to do it, or give up more VPs to the French for failure (I thought, why did I take this card?). By now, both sides had broken just 1 line battalion each, at Marksgrafneuseidl, bt all the others were in bad shape, all in disorder and with high disruption, but still fighting in a sort of mob brawl. Notable, my brigade commander was in the thick of it, taking 4 at risk tests per turn and still remaining at the front. Heroic stuff from him.<br /><br />Next turn, the 6th I think, saw the Austrians try, try again to complete the damned Grand Assault objective and when my first 2 charges on the turn succeeded, but were then driven off by the French again, I had a chance, but it was costing me VPs too. In end, I did it, declaring 8 charges and getting an average 4 in (for once)… and with the last Orders card of the turn. So just in time, whilst the French had failed, despite trying, they to, cannot roll a 4+ when needed. Was it enough to win it? I could claim the ‘Grand Assault’ and my starting ‘Hold the Line’ (easily done) and for the French failure to ‘Grand Assault’ me… a big haul of VPs got me ahead, but the loss of another line battalion in the fighting on the right got the French back even. Both sides had broken, both by the same amount (3 I think). It was a draw, a rare dead-heat!… we had fought each other to a standstill. Pretty much the historical result. So, being behind on campaign VPs, I gained 1 to the French’s 0, so after 7 games it is now 8-2 France. I still need a solid win from somewhere, maybe in game 8, next week. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszgwOZNxaAU_wFUaSHWABFALDwUl-p7otbZzgBKXa_XN9f3aPVi5599PZt-YHQJixESFSfrRHWt0c_YwBSjp2TcVcL90Fwg-curyiIpgMiUaBXAyzDRQtBGwFsBMscCFSLFyWnfaoEnKADor9v87P4qv6ERfIWm-dg4FnlI4sgJghmzfoiMVbFJzdGg/s624/IMG_20230602_083337038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszgwOZNxaAU_wFUaSHWABFALDwUl-p7otbZzgBKXa_XN9f3aPVi5599PZt-YHQJixESFSfrRHWt0c_YwBSjp2TcVcL90Fwg-curyiIpgMiUaBXAyzDRQtBGwFsBMscCFSLFyWnfaoEnKADor9v87P4qv6ERfIWm-dg4FnlI4sgJghmzfoiMVbFJzdGg/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_083337038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View form the end of the Wagram, edge of Markgrafneuseidl and beyond, the Russbach. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmfTjKyYuZU9daqyzRKYow_dl9NZlthPTiwbnQgCiFUzc8mqd0SpapC1K30rAr3DIaOwMcXKrhz92K71eGvhnY9KN4q8o_2TxynuDTWR2nN601JRoCGQHZi7JdiXGpij3T2Z1Qm0WXgAkFLu4lbUiYBmsYju-viEM4TCOdcW6BAoZ9hJeF2Me14Ypzw/s624/IMG_20230602_083349209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmfTjKyYuZU9daqyzRKYow_dl9NZlthPTiwbnQgCiFUzc8mqd0SpapC1K30rAr3DIaOwMcXKrhz92K71eGvhnY9KN4q8o_2TxynuDTWR2nN601JRoCGQHZi7JdiXGpij3T2Z1Qm0WXgAkFLu4lbUiYBmsYju-viEM4TCOdcW6BAoZ9hJeF2Me14Ypzw/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_083349209.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meander in the Russbach, over which the French left must splash, not a great obstacle though, except for cannons. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRX0U0YUn4FeSDnrG20z7fhfPlpCqJa9cUSD9gAmBRgNdH9I6t5FytaEVamrwdZvJFtkhlEp1uVmJVB5QYIjvh4uFD5PZkH_ymQNQ7KwgVnSyVje0WK65J5zO-ekGYK80CRpZUwJqdbwUdl_Ho6f1kKKkt8ajUQLrQEJA_gMIBzq870ibZyVjZDIU6pA/s624/IMG_20230602_105813033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRX0U0YUn4FeSDnrG20z7fhfPlpCqJa9cUSD9gAmBRgNdH9I6t5FytaEVamrwdZvJFtkhlEp1uVmJVB5QYIjvh4uFD5PZkH_ymQNQ7KwgVnSyVje0WK65J5zO-ekGYK80CRpZUwJqdbwUdl_Ho6f1kKKkt8ajUQLrQEJA_gMIBzq870ibZyVjZDIU6pA/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_105813033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian infantry brigades form their lines, musketeers forward, landwehr behind (hiding). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs2NXWtuihGklV6L8m-LTCk5VAdNICr0a7aPKhJ27WXktOFeZZXbZ9qhrYxAdtW_DT8ZRywY6Qvr6bYHE3rvVcZycJrO_3aODJMIpGPy4kHcAjqy569jSgS-imLSj22szqdj-NzFqERNYgClDqE5KKfpqva6vhjJD6sHR7YEAQAlu8_mCu8_gJJgtrA/s624/IMG_20230602_105847534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs2NXWtuihGklV6L8m-LTCk5VAdNICr0a7aPKhJ27WXktOFeZZXbZ9qhrYxAdtW_DT8ZRywY6Qvr6bYHE3rvVcZycJrO_3aODJMIpGPy4kHcAjqy569jSgS-imLSj22szqdj-NzFqERNYgClDqE5KKfpqva6vhjJD6sHR7YEAQAlu8_mCu8_gJJgtrA/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_105847534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian left, nice a neat to start with, before a musket shot in anger...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS1W3Ak4MNXfNnDruND2s1_vaqFHQENvr8RkREHUDVpIZg5kdGkiL1xt8K_O_9sYuSxDVNJqR-UFsZKmd-nskTc6VUirIaeJgYFrjL4g18B0__tXougNVvaBHr2mgeSNXvIg3Vt5NbTTIYA85dqfpWa4niNhSNJr0IdDrGq5dcxDNh15ufjsC_jROjA/s624/IMG_20230602_105830407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS1W3Ak4MNXfNnDruND2s1_vaqFHQENvr8RkREHUDVpIZg5kdGkiL1xt8K_O_9sYuSxDVNJqR-UFsZKmd-nskTc6VUirIaeJgYFrjL4g18B0__tXougNVvaBHr2mgeSNXvIg3Vt5NbTTIYA85dqfpWa4niNhSNJr0IdDrGq5dcxDNh15ufjsC_jROjA/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_105830407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French left navigate the stream and head for the village cottages at speed. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7kaCWVeH-Lepuvkq9B6fbl6FT6oeaH4fZ0Wz4_BHd_sNAI6_B6G4REJX2i7m8MMlxIx2E5E1C_ElqJTtqzTsHCYdtTlR3llk_R1Y_V5hYXWjNa1cUawqGAp7Ar9c7fsEDGrl_mDPa6LndZ2cB7u1ia-aps1Qd8m5x-2lvS5qsUfyCRCP8fBWtmvVAw/s624/IMG_20230602_124242134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7kaCWVeH-Lepuvkq9B6fbl6FT6oeaH4fZ0Wz4_BHd_sNAI6_B6G4REJX2i7m8MMlxIx2E5E1C_ElqJTtqzTsHCYdtTlR3llk_R1Y_V5hYXWjNa1cUawqGAp7Ar9c7fsEDGrl_mDPa6LndZ2cB7u1ia-aps1Qd8m5x-2lvS5qsUfyCRCP8fBWtmvVAw/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_124242134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French right also advance in columns, under cannon and skirmish fire. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQ0Zip7GBbJwd_bEaetextNLdN4qGTssBSw5Jv_tdSvZGaYfPWICoJ62s4vAQISXunRREvgdljgPhTixrdLXEG_cVERcRoQeiiGWwgnOCgvge-ZQgSSQ2YzGM0BI2z5eBbdTUcTGEhJ7JkX9sGdoITjAJvalQ6tl1PkxN0T_5Tg6dvl3uR9Gvzy0pJg/s624/IMG_20230602_121121696.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQ0Zip7GBbJwd_bEaetextNLdN4qGTssBSw5Jv_tdSvZGaYfPWICoJ62s4vAQISXunRREvgdljgPhTixrdLXEG_cVERcRoQeiiGWwgnOCgvge-ZQgSSQ2YzGM0BI2z5eBbdTUcTGEhJ7JkX9sGdoITjAJvalQ6tl1PkxN0T_5Tg6dvl3uR9Gvzy0pJg/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_121121696.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrians move up to meet them, 4 battalions aside line up. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYL-KaV_NmkW5hpTyhMh4adRHD4qW3Q_uU4CPbHSK9x9TvrK7Wq3ITpinInNGipyuUYk4_JLmUlhf3gIqU16ohyJ-SADFGVWmrH-ANriJ5Yk8VjebqqxCSzaIlVzOHD1lNuaOKONpOzWSqkq60zzIyqXsLsrvF3HLGxyjlCLzZj_7MUEdeYk3apDe-g/s624/IMG_20230602_121103398.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYL-KaV_NmkW5hpTyhMh4adRHD4qW3Q_uU4CPbHSK9x9TvrK7Wq3ITpinInNGipyuUYk4_JLmUlhf3gIqU16ohyJ-SADFGVWmrH-ANriJ5Yk8VjebqqxCSzaIlVzOHD1lNuaOKONpOzWSqkq60zzIyqXsLsrvF3HLGxyjlCLzZj_7MUEdeYk3apDe-g/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_121103398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fighting around the edge of the village heats up, to become an all-in mob brawl by the end. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF8WBbihVJWqkIlkPbO2EQDVMVniBNIbQoIfapoP9EJ4H0cO61RdgU05NHTnPZNvkliptXDZ4ApSP8ZkkEoyLmg_xG0EDMAA743_qw8ckNAdv_OlmVKI_jzMlI4K5bXHuEp8Tc05MTPq9-GdqaHmzg4Dao8QeMWELTVq8ukZSzAUUAhTMrbSBO2sTQg/s624/IMG_20230602_112746149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF8WBbihVJWqkIlkPbO2EQDVMVniBNIbQoIfapoP9EJ4H0cO61RdgU05NHTnPZNvkliptXDZ4ApSP8ZkkEoyLmg_xG0EDMAA743_qw8ckNAdv_OlmVKI_jzMlI4K5bXHuEp8Tc05MTPq9-GdqaHmzg4Dao8QeMWELTVq8ukZSzAUUAhTMrbSBO2sTQg/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_112746149.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French attack, Austrians counter... muskets volley, neither side gains the decisive advantage. It will be a long grind. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoFRyRbroVGzc7Xt6dTQdAHzADTqhe8Bba88kuqLz5wK2bHRCWbnTn4py1JgKKWIZ2uckzZet_WugLdTuwzdpVRVXF0rIB2LqD7TH1eXxSWQ2LrXqvMSQwlayFY_eViFX68zRIT44i-7WRHFKFEs8Fh75QOzTHUHZebnXj2tkNajN4gRfDIjrxxd4Tg/s4000/IMG_20230602_124249967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoFRyRbroVGzc7Xt6dTQdAHzADTqhe8Bba88kuqLz5wK2bHRCWbnTn4py1JgKKWIZ2uckzZet_WugLdTuwzdpVRVXF0rIB2LqD7TH1eXxSWQ2LrXqvMSQwlayFY_eViFX68zRIT44i-7WRHFKFEs8Fh75QOzTHUHZebnXj2tkNajN4gRfDIjrxxd4Tg/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_124249967.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting cannon fire from the Russbach, not adding much today, this is an infantry to infantry fight. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec1MtgsjIngQuhyJem0Ewg_if5qr-bcseTQcp4ZIiBD7N78gR0EF2sxPu5JsPGwt_k395lStnYZIapjaqkzniOpay7seKRZEBIXTVqMj4iNyMKghmVQi830ydfQnQqjXj1WYP-crFV-nzwjpw1a5_Okescw2IjCbeS9woIPt9aiaRY4oc62LLFOnCig/s624/IMG_20230602_124300800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec1MtgsjIngQuhyJem0Ewg_if5qr-bcseTQcp4ZIiBD7N78gR0EF2sxPu5JsPGwt_k395lStnYZIapjaqkzniOpay7seKRZEBIXTVqMj4iNyMKghmVQi830ydfQnQqjXj1WYP-crFV-nzwjpw1a5_Okescw2IjCbeS9woIPt9aiaRY4oc62LLFOnCig/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_124300800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French storm up the lower slopes, but are thrown back down again. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4iIKV1SKlH-QHP9NCJwRoymBq4DLm-8NDbH5CJ3Xf4uzgWIaUrUIeCSOT0bSZbFwNFHjv-bpaC3Ao0vb09cBbhCX5Dcg2k6ZO2Ija5jF5XQZRZdAJxVri2_yl4P-OSgUP2s6fmvNfGBjIQK9K3S7m2Y7ho5W91SUufZs0L1WHPh8Xb5jQvpUIUU7tw/s624/IMG_20230602_130224152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4iIKV1SKlH-QHP9NCJwRoymBq4DLm-8NDbH5CJ3Xf4uzgWIaUrUIeCSOT0bSZbFwNFHjv-bpaC3Ao0vb09cBbhCX5Dcg2k6ZO2Ija5jF5XQZRZdAJxVri2_yl4P-OSgUP2s6fmvNfGBjIQK9K3S7m2Y7ho5W91SUufZs0L1WHPh8Xb5jQvpUIUU7tw/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_130224152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wagram hill holds firm, for now.... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldltYb42sxHjPxmFtWf8k9k4Vroq9c-TKAwAo5L9a6kpdx8eGhiQpHDPVOuzjdGukYg5XZH_pi75Sn1eax_b8ynnwILuEZ27qszLUaKURZJMLzDWmTwQGuDhF4MziwNEjq-FYdHF4R0BtyN0GvCKE2wpHgTRnK5I0oC5VE5kbD3_i1lv8r0QlkRjmkg/s624/IMG_20230602_140018838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldltYb42sxHjPxmFtWf8k9k4Vroq9c-TKAwAo5L9a6kpdx8eGhiQpHDPVOuzjdGukYg5XZH_pi75Sn1eax_b8ynnwILuEZ27qszLUaKURZJMLzDWmTwQGuDhF4MziwNEjq-FYdHF4R0BtyN0GvCKE2wpHgTRnK5I0oC5VE5kbD3_i1lv8r0QlkRjmkg/w400-h300/IMG_20230602_140018838.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrians charge down the slope and drive the French back again. Red dice is the 'at risk' tests required for the brigade command stand. In the thick of it, leading from the front, undaunted until the end. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-64857503714180385692023-05-27T05:49:00.005-07:002023-05-27T06:00:11.073-07:00 Battlegroup Torch, Operation Vulcan begins, Attack on Point 137<p>A historical scenario as the British push for Tunis at the end of the North African campaign. Here, at a farm called Sidi Salah on the Tunis road, the West Kents supported by Churchill tanks had the task of clearing troops of the Hermann Goering division off a ridge line (high point Point 137) that overlooked the road and stopped it being used. They had to cross open fields which the Germans had heavily mined and clear them off the rocky high ground into which the Germans had dug-in. The attack as led by Churchill tanks, and ran into Tiger tanks supporting the defenders, resulting in a very tough struggle as they cleared gaps in the mines (Matilda Scorpions were to be used but, interesting fact, they weren’t because as a secret weapon, they were ordered not to be used in daylight and be seen by the enemy). The job came down to engineers with minesweepers. <br /><br />As the defender, I set-up first, dug-in infantry platoons, one forward on the low lying ground, covering the minefield and slowing the advance. On the ridge, my dug-in PAK-38 (bit pants!), more infantry, 80mm mortar spotters and two sMG-42 dug-outs, which I placed on either extreme, ready on ambush fire, and these would do the heavy lifting in keeping his infantry back. The two Tigers and their supporting Pz-III N were in reserve.<br /><br />The Brits started the game on Turn 1, moving onto the table with the tanks and a single carrier, out of which hopped a small 2-man team to the front of an orchard. With 4.5” and 25 pdr batteries to hammer the ridge, that was most likely a forward observer team. My sMG-42 sprayed that orchard with long range fire, pinned the team, which also lost a man and the last man standing was removed… instant win, first dice roll of the game as the spotter went down and was carried away by his radio-op. Respite from British guns. <br /><br />The Churchills rolled in, and used their BESA fire to try and pin down the forward screening teams, in their foxholes, to little result. But my screen had no AT weapons, so would be waiting on ambush until the those Churchs got within 10” to try and pin them, somehow, on 6s! Behind, the rest of the Germans go on ambush fire and waited.<br /><br />The Brits continued to roll in, an infantry platoon of the West Kents (Tunbridge Well’s finest) on foot, and provoked some long range MG fire that did nought. Over the following turns the Brits would roll in at 2D6 units per turn until all in, with extra platoons of West Kents and some Blackwatch. More importantly, the FHQ arrived and jumped from his jeep to take up control of the 4.5” gun battery, that started to hit the ridge, doing some pinning (and 1 direct hit on an MG teams foxhole that marmalised them all). I was waiting until Turn 4 to get my good 88mm anti-tank guns to have a crack at those Churchs, until then, trying to pin them, or the occasional 80mm mortar direct hit was doing little but scratch paintwork.<br /><br />The Church’s slow advance, still Beas-ing away (the verb ‘to Besa’ - fire both machine guns on a Churchill tank repeatedly), continued, as the engineers on their engine decks jumped down to deal with the two minefields in the centre, around the low rocky hillock I was trying to deny the Brits. At this point, the Germans had a turn of luck, i.e., not many orders and then did nothing, not a hit, not a pin, nothing for an entire turn, which they then repeated in the next turn, a complete whiff – twice! Still, at least the Tigers (and Pz IIIN) had arrived, they could turn it around. <br /><br />The Brits cleared those minefields and could move infantry of the West Kents into the rocks, from where they returned fire up the ridge with those big firing teams. More 4.5” artillery landed, adding some pinning. In a little counter-attack on the right (my) orchard I sent a rifle team to rush a Churchill with their AT grenades. It failed, seeing one man cut down, then trying again and seeing 2 more men cut down, leaving the squad pinned and then wiped out by Besa fire… drat! Oh well, suicidal tactics gets expected result! My PaK-38 continued to be rubbish, failing to get any pins, and its loader team never helped, all game - useless. The Tigers moved up onto the ridge, both together to try and overwhelm the Churchs on his right with twin shooting. First they had to hit - no dice! <br /><br />The tank fight began, the Churchs scored a pin on one of the Tigers, whilst the Pz III’s HE managed a pin against a Churchill too (handy). Tiger 88 fired scored a hit, and glanced off - good grief! Both sides had a lot of pinned troops, the Brits taking 2 chits to unpin for a few turns, the luxury. My front screen of infantry had now been whittled away, so it was time for the Brits last push for the ridge. The 4.5” guns continued their work, whilst I struggled to get my mortars to reply with more bad dice on comms tests. The Church’s fusillade of fire, HE and AP at the Tigers added to it, and pinned the other Tiger. Only one was ever in action, and it finally hit and KO’d the first lost tank of the game (in about Turn 8). My MG teams were keeping the West Kents heads down in the rocks well, and one engineer squad, pinned in the open, was mowed down. <br /><br />The Brits pushed on, the first Church reaching the slope and using its excellent slope climbing ability to grind towards Points 137. My Pz III had run out of ammo and retreated back behind the ridge to find some more (my supply team was infantry with a hand cart, not sure you get many 75mm and 88mm shells in one). The Tiger, low on ammo, spoke again and got another kill, but then had to retreat too. I was not longer able to unpin, my break point was too close. So this left one Tiger stuck. In the next turn, when heavy British Vickers and Bren fire killed a machine gun team, the chit draw broke me. End of game. <br /><br />Tunbridge Well’s finest had won the day and driven the Hermann Goering Division off Point 137. They had 9 BR left, so close, but not close enough. A long game, but great fun. Man, my dice just deserted me for a few turns, and well, the Tigers claimed 2 kills, but I think I needed more from the big hitters to turn it around. Interestingly, it was this engagement, on this day, close to this Tunis road were Tiger 131 was captured intact (and ended up at Bovington tank Museum). The Churchills are one claimant to having got it. Gotta say, Churchills are ace… very good British tank design. One of them might have had my grandfather in it. <br /><br />Thanks to Ken for writing the scenario, nice to play a historical refight I didn’t write for once. Both had some good luck and bad, both pulled aircraft counters and got no shows… loving Tunis as a theatre for gaming. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8Dkq6aOWpjtx9MxqVQFgiTMyzrTNMNpUAOquHLaTEbOLSQP0FqalPsUtzIE4WcZsbdZd_lIYD2N6rB0J7nWfcEzfbcWyk9bDGBI7ej5Y7TIWdctt_uDNqHZdHJUwIbmJ9tQXQ6Iu0RLSa0vx1aenhKMzycZef94f8aTHJuU6yE3V0q9ZFW7YKii01A/s624/IMG_20230514_115317516_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8Dkq6aOWpjtx9MxqVQFgiTMyzrTNMNpUAOquHLaTEbOLSQP0FqalPsUtzIE4WcZsbdZd_lIYD2N6rB0J7nWfcEzfbcWyk9bDGBI7ej5Y7TIWdctt_uDNqHZdHJUwIbmJ9tQXQ6Iu0RLSa0vx1aenhKMzycZef94f8aTHJuU6yE3V0q9ZFW7YKii01A/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_115317516_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocky ridge and Point 137<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr835uzddVisBO_rGRAf8QWnF3d9tgyjBgEy6AR9MA--Ecz1qtDdB2evcZzHZzP-GtM1liHuC5bqRRucv2QNt-LAYClqjz21X1VDUHCN47ofcnymsSYVJ8cxxiOFiW1xQRUNXW_VV8ev3ssEjev6n8gSsDduylnAHh0AxylTC758D5oNAhTh44T3JBA/s624/IMG_20230514_120558801_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr835uzddVisBO_rGRAf8QWnF3d9tgyjBgEy6AR9MA--Ecz1qtDdB2evcZzHZzP-GtM1liHuC5bqRRucv2QNt-LAYClqjz21X1VDUHCN47ofcnymsSYVJ8cxxiOFiW1xQRUNXW_VV8ev3ssEjev6n8gSsDduylnAHh0AxylTC758D5oNAhTh44T3JBA/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_120558801_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battlefield, Brits attacking from the top. Germans deployed on the ridge and just below it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IDIYUOoysg6hkUJMuGdFAgTbzR86eIvhz5N7z1b3XZ34BKc89zpldqdZklOFLBZdkBbkUgmn5DTSRnZSCOxC_zjANlaEbfpbasDPhVz-OzUUqrSOtrqY4iWLydZpjua0Ru8IJYmOYxDHTvSuGADr3KYnNxkGYER3MDUgw2W7K-ZFY36Zx3UBVPkAvw/s624/IMG_20230514_125400754_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IDIYUOoysg6hkUJMuGdFAgTbzR86eIvhz5N7z1b3XZ34BKc89zpldqdZklOFLBZdkBbkUgmn5DTSRnZSCOxC_zjANlaEbfpbasDPhVz-OzUUqrSOtrqY4iWLydZpjua0Ru8IJYmOYxDHTvSuGADr3KYnNxkGYER3MDUgw2W7K-ZFY36Zx3UBVPkAvw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_125400754_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HG dug-in on the high ground. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND_60StVrQXMVVTFO_b9fKARzyXW8RdRpC2-CSoR0rT7Sb81a0AH9XxmZv-5xodkAVg_zBCoIiQW4EAWVpVCpbGlw3x7B75E2QecQv8NtrOHesDf4qKIPG743z7n4lGS1-LUQztTBY-a3fg_FZreyot9dT_YwJrfvs7Ds9R_jNC4-eH5FjCUfMHjfPw/s624/IMG_20230514_125407219_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND_60StVrQXMVVTFO_b9fKARzyXW8RdRpC2-CSoR0rT7Sb81a0AH9XxmZv-5xodkAVg_zBCoIiQW4EAWVpVCpbGlw3x7B75E2QecQv8NtrOHesDf4qKIPG743z7n4lGS1-LUQztTBY-a3fg_FZreyot9dT_YwJrfvs7Ds9R_jNC4-eH5FjCUfMHjfPw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_125407219_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the low ground, just behind the mine fields in the centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Muoi0cL7B4_Iu68teeOj9ylx1IYFTZG4P7-M4F1m9QlPS29j5ln7fTQ97_qD0slmOULm_1jcqELly4OjUtzNQvnSN5JsYmYOTtaKC0V8_RQN9nMxWme5O37vDeHsGjzd_fbyBMNRmH2sE9WclpUOG_O2SUxuo2Y5oKIuD1YHD_Dfxa_VGE7WyYhfg/s624/IMG_20230514_131119948.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Muoi0cL7B4_Iu68teeOj9ylx1IYFTZG4P7-M4F1m9QlPS29j5ln7fTQ97_qD0slmOULm_1jcqELly4OjUtzNQvnSN5JsYmYOTtaKC0V8_RQN9nMxWme5O37vDeHsGjzd_fbyBMNRmH2sE9WclpUOG_O2SUxuo2Y5oKIuD1YHD_Dfxa_VGE7WyYhfg/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_131119948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FHQ at the rear of the ridge, along with wire team. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-A21rYj6F3PLHyEaFfMXaZEMbdVnHLXZsP75yvIuuSvkNkcUUYJ9XOpQ6BZ5ETXK2ha8m44iz73w-860i7rhMJxE-QlFVmZL6T4qOshd9bfY05jyHs2bcZD8BNjXc5n-oi8G25U0pfGC-EAgYevsrznGPjqnt7zbVK6gWqgLT4XIxujRBb4soSQd-g/s624/IMG_20230514_131129433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-A21rYj6F3PLHyEaFfMXaZEMbdVnHLXZsP75yvIuuSvkNkcUUYJ9XOpQ6BZ5ETXK2ha8m44iz73w-860i7rhMJxE-QlFVmZL6T4qOshd9bfY05jyHs2bcZD8BNjXc5n-oi8G25U0pfGC-EAgYevsrznGPjqnt7zbVK6gWqgLT4XIxujRBb4soSQd-g/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_131129433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchills roll on, as first mortar rounds land, they care not...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5tK8nXJHWs2jyWht3wFn1mMOMrbNc899XXXRsLowYvai9b97yYO53n8YuNjUPQ_ktf6-EeTdajMBnk9JwmB1_x1YVClV-836JXsYu6mTUTzI2wrN-5SzQvDxljR4HqG-tQv8ZmO12f3CzEQfDmX34fVOCPuXm_j7Zu9lPLbJwpwxt098X7fyktAFTw/s624/IMG_20230514_133151887.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5tK8nXJHWs2jyWht3wFn1mMOMrbNc899XXXRsLowYvai9b97yYO53n8YuNjUPQ_ktf6-EeTdajMBnk9JwmB1_x1YVClV-836JXsYu6mTUTzI2wrN-5SzQvDxljR4HqG-tQv8ZmO12f3CzEQfDmX34fVOCPuXm_j7Zu9lPLbJwpwxt098X7fyktAFTw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_133151887.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Past Sidi Salah, carrying engineers as tank riders. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvRLmWmd78tDpDMZeAVelr4AsTgr4hl5XtOom7Fsd8ieBJrI1Xwkj9_ymxDpl4WWMe8D2bzu3LFPFGk8IlZWiJ0m8ohHg_qzC2_vYvguS8HDLd2KqB76WqStlrBuXomCpSS4gLqvVa7FF9q4htEBTzYx3uVTi4Z1RiVSZTc5-tNiwRLKEsfOXpkzPgQ/s624/IMG_20230514_133229138.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvRLmWmd78tDpDMZeAVelr4AsTgr4hl5XtOom7Fsd8ieBJrI1Xwkj9_ymxDpl4WWMe8D2bzu3LFPFGk8IlZWiJ0m8ohHg_qzC2_vYvguS8HDLd2KqB76WqStlrBuXomCpSS4gLqvVa7FF9q4htEBTzYx3uVTi4Z1RiVSZTc5-tNiwRLKEsfOXpkzPgQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_133229138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Pak's dug-out, many targets, none hit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ9aW3YlIOpHFeckGN0CMR8fUa44xGzT8nzmSuVfzJqBYLnqgkCt4ew4MyZhT6kMkLgH84j4pSHnXSTkqcLzVhQ7GVIoL7utVY1iMGa1ooaLND7udxrvMTZDFeivwqmAy3A1pmEjTiMM09vTe2xcSs9HDnKvpUljds21ipIsMYQTBbQh3QfJzoeqSQg/s624/IMG_20230514_141504536_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ9aW3YlIOpHFeckGN0CMR8fUa44xGzT8nzmSuVfzJqBYLnqgkCt4ew4MyZhT6kMkLgH84j4pSHnXSTkqcLzVhQ7GVIoL7utVY1iMGa1ooaLND7udxrvMTZDFeivwqmAy3A1pmEjTiMM09vTe2xcSs9HDnKvpUljds21ipIsMYQTBbQh3QfJzoeqSQg/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_141504536_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sMG-42 dug-out, sweeping those fields and any sneaky approach via the farm and its paddocks. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHVZVK2DyoYEwGL1qb2zf5RfkZFAYpE8eTR7KnZCrAWWTcar6fjPIWxH92eP7rC2Y0t-BlikJEgo_7Nf7ftCJTDJv-QjsoMHhst7QvbnUGhqnOByIOd1SSbh4Cmp410xkMsc1WKJMr_JZE0HCbEko4_uzKtyOByiPgM7OjsrmRegs2xjQZkYfLCcSiw/s624/IMG_20230514_141536969_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHVZVK2DyoYEwGL1qb2zf5RfkZFAYpE8eTR7KnZCrAWWTcar6fjPIWxH92eP7rC2Y0t-BlikJEgo_7Nf7ftCJTDJv-QjsoMHhst7QvbnUGhqnOByIOd1SSbh4Cmp410xkMsc1WKJMr_JZE0HCbEko4_uzKtyOByiPgM7OjsrmRegs2xjQZkYfLCcSiw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_141536969_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchs close on the rocks, which are mined. Mortar fire doing zippo. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpC0gYSsNdMEUrCG85rQFBGBTdRwkolliwy3oEzIzZFNVRX0iDcjDOAeUF9iR2Gg_ZM6-quu8RzHuXesa2tIVG5nzqfKN4UoVJDAoN6C7WzPd4U_m7omGXRfgQxAYfn-Jdmf0agoELK20WrLDo26PA96nJN_cI3HCgqWHJuuNv886J0WEtDkF7JBsNA/s624/IMG_20230514_150348384_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpC0gYSsNdMEUrCG85rQFBGBTdRwkolliwy3oEzIzZFNVRX0iDcjDOAeUF9iR2Gg_ZM6-quu8RzHuXesa2tIVG5nzqfKN4UoVJDAoN6C7WzPd4U_m7omGXRfgQxAYfn-Jdmf0agoELK20WrLDo26PA96nJN_cI3HCgqWHJuuNv886J0WEtDkF7JBsNA/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_150348384_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineers pile off and rush to clear the way. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUswwarZxPaWLZCgQo1oksl5vd_liA9h-4_nln_PgwqoKT_K7WiYJ3Vmb7qxQNuh7yvch6oQgBDpKUZa-wbdZgUbV_dklaaLaLLOqak2EpHS4ZRn7y-AAzmnqFHlAWlyG8jvAkSAFdkA8LLPqicdBodYPL-tmEAF8Ls0FGpgASaX2zWstUGm-tLGWXFA/s624/IMG_20230514_150410598_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUswwarZxPaWLZCgQo1oksl5vd_liA9h-4_nln_PgwqoKT_K7WiYJ3Vmb7qxQNuh7yvch6oQgBDpKUZa-wbdZgUbV_dklaaLaLLOqak2EpHS4ZRn7y-AAzmnqFHlAWlyG8jvAkSAFdkA8LLPqicdBodYPL-tmEAF8Ls0FGpgASaX2zWstUGm-tLGWXFA/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_150410598_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzer III N, not much use in a tank fight. Used all its HE quickly and pulled back. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMTgw2pavPgSiKqkPOT15HyRZL85OGNahX0d1qCnhXsBIBizIqm2BqhxYaKYyZODN0FTUNsJ1FFn4OGfM0OHHxu7UjGBDo1wCHU0RyzY7WSNH21YvkAGMX4JY8kMRKyv6epoX_ajhK7KR1e2A6VGCKKxEeWTRUqF7ILGEDZiZctM-6qOYtQMLyd1f6w/s624/IMG_20230514_150438771_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMTgw2pavPgSiKqkPOT15HyRZL85OGNahX0d1qCnhXsBIBizIqm2BqhxYaKYyZODN0FTUNsJ1FFn4OGfM0OHHxu7UjGBDo1wCHU0RyzY7WSNH21YvkAGMX4JY8kMRKyv6epoX_ajhK7KR1e2A6VGCKKxEeWTRUqF7ILGEDZiZctM-6qOYtQMLyd1f6w/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_150438771_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger climbs the rear slope. Things about the get interesting for the Churchills. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf7ORqzWkj4d5hMMWUR7b6kurKg110NZOSdUdcMHoQ-isTEABlf31TeT7ne7QDG1nOO8yuVpuEeDzPsAT_cZCIXEkft4VpgpQKsF6mf7HB3UEmdT6e0X_AbiDzhsANfZvrIa5VxGA3CcKKedhvjtMgfp-QW4XIZ1hCrvSYyH1vzownDvVqquxMM9_kw/s624/IMG_20230514_153604053_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf7ORqzWkj4d5hMMWUR7b6kurKg110NZOSdUdcMHoQ-isTEABlf31TeT7ne7QDG1nOO8yuVpuEeDzPsAT_cZCIXEkft4VpgpQKsF6mf7HB3UEmdT6e0X_AbiDzhsANfZvrIa5VxGA3CcKKedhvjtMgfp-QW4XIZ1hCrvSYyH1vzownDvVqquxMM9_kw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_153604053_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinned by a 6 pdr AP round that glanced off the Krupp steel. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BV50eUucK30Poz2fVBU0wD6X34i9F2CmvEpaU_8Vpnbsr6H3uNnqG1LwUt4KDYgsEfVuXXzmK6dbfDHiR-mL5_9Tvl0N495qtlbxxTITjecvW5cuDStorQbzNsrSBm302miftPVp8y71YsMa3HwVbQQKp1_04l5l4lUmmeTSEvTafqglXHvtgmXmNA/s624/IMG_20230514_160248632_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BV50eUucK30Poz2fVBU0wD6X34i9F2CmvEpaU_8Vpnbsr6H3uNnqG1LwUt4KDYgsEfVuXXzmK6dbfDHiR-mL5_9Tvl0N495qtlbxxTITjecvW5cuDStorQbzNsrSBm302miftPVp8y71YsMa3HwVbQQKp1_04l5l4lUmmeTSEvTafqglXHvtgmXmNA/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_160248632_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other flank, no Tigers to worry about here, just infantry to BESA. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oH9oNPvMO9aloKSzAOG2yNXNOl1KZMNXPeVRb4HwpZEjMeqiY0YQHiW4oPEFt3FtR18RKZ6sXqkQln78dW4RLfC060qJoOUUBEfVrmzr6H4UJLEpRLLR-ydnez_2RhQqUgTnLMZAZmSLZ2RPTMkc2_xQZHHrkAD_cqR6nwlzatEz9eqSpT9orejt-Q/s624/IMG_20230514_160308968_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oH9oNPvMO9aloKSzAOG2yNXNOl1KZMNXPeVRb4HwpZEjMeqiY0YQHiW4oPEFt3FtR18RKZ6sXqkQln78dW4RLfC060qJoOUUBEfVrmzr6H4UJLEpRLLR-ydnez_2RhQqUgTnLMZAZmSLZ2RPTMkc2_xQZHHrkAD_cqR6nwlzatEz9eqSpT9orejt-Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_160308968_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4.5" shelling pounds the ridge, turn after turn. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzErjc4Ff1qLwdhOWbRQincIEr-6D7e4yh-rio_hX1ocaYEftuJv2ekBLJTcRiM3MDEc60IbLccIPlO96vbPb5svhBxDTKY-7PzW4HeBXKKMqbTgVv40PgnxzoVW05QABkdehtcfcF4dXWW_i2Ceb2XCH2PZSTT2XrWicbGtRA19KyvfXavbDNOKF2LA/s624/IMG_20230514_162117043.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzErjc4Ff1qLwdhOWbRQincIEr-6D7e4yh-rio_hX1ocaYEftuJv2ekBLJTcRiM3MDEc60IbLccIPlO96vbPb5svhBxDTKY-7PzW4HeBXKKMqbTgVv40PgnxzoVW05QABkdehtcfcF4dXWW_i2Ceb2XCH2PZSTT2XrWicbGtRA19KyvfXavbDNOKF2LA/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_162117043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tank duel, can I score a hit - yes. Can I score a kill- no. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjalRoyIukIJcvDEOa4uZzKOupiFGfT5468QwAuheW2dYyD0OzGXUdx0TV-nt6udk-4Zzb0VUs93JqY3bJfKELXC4Mm8ph2xHjEXnCxxiKM3TVtirfRu13xvpSYAbqpbOuWJfXcKuisdFPGAzK7qPgKi5eGC0rgtZ3n-lU8OEZQ12W_2sWtRIfsQ_RBw/s624/IMG_20230514_172402735_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjalRoyIukIJcvDEOa4uZzKOupiFGfT5468QwAuheW2dYyD0OzGXUdx0TV-nt6udk-4Zzb0VUs93JqY3bJfKELXC4Mm8ph2xHjEXnCxxiKM3TVtirfRu13xvpSYAbqpbOuWJfXcKuisdFPGAzK7qPgKi5eGC0rgtZ3n-lU8OEZQ12W_2sWtRIfsQ_RBw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_172402735_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The West Kenst are in the rocks in force and hammering away up the slope with Brens and behind, a lurking Vickers team.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LFUKrTQ_cTDcg_VrOf6bBcA3IDDqzNrgoBev33-ddpLJreqarDDtuihQFfAju97I7ixX_5rD1fQ60CRhN_ZEsFm2ljy0Ac13m8iXPVJb25y3HKrysKdaDaLwBGjHsLK2ry5h1sZxX6_YtPtVbLbuTeej68OSHxfsq6u5U2M4Itkt04rstSJSmNhKWw/s624/IMG_20230514_172425627_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LFUKrTQ_cTDcg_VrOf6bBcA3IDDqzNrgoBev33-ddpLJreqarDDtuihQFfAju97I7ixX_5rD1fQ60CRhN_ZEsFm2ljy0Ac13m8iXPVJb25y3HKrysKdaDaLwBGjHsLK2ry5h1sZxX6_YtPtVbLbuTeej68OSHxfsq6u5U2M4Itkt04rstSJSmNhKWw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_172425627_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boom, clang, pinned Church, rocked by an 88mm round. Tough old buggers these tanks. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsAdnti-eYUQznZauiizCsL3idVJYXugsqaRNE1mJfBB06LDMKXd4f2Iskh2FskxHrTbj8S-4OmlJiMx-e25XKxIDQtJNawFOo6a-VJ3FvWGLj3XCO3sFFk1kL5jX5h9L6af5eFh2LRyNjSYgOcsZKm2--o4GjFA3kfRZmBJz63_hx2pSKuBIRkD5dw/s624/IMG_20230514_173429246_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsAdnti-eYUQznZauiizCsL3idVJYXugsqaRNE1mJfBB06LDMKXd4f2Iskh2FskxHrTbj8S-4OmlJiMx-e25XKxIDQtJNawFOo6a-VJ3FvWGLj3XCO3sFFk1kL5jX5h9L6af5eFh2LRyNjSYgOcsZKm2--o4GjFA3kfRZmBJz63_hx2pSKuBIRkD5dw/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_173429246_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of ammo, the resupply team can maybe help. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__J2Axl-piT5KsKbFwBLnvJO0i0i1YZeuDHDvnHbrOL7hjk-KGEHcywcB9h8kAUCHDUqRSZ9_IcPYBFvzK629qjMqV5HL8Jc9-GSCTfDnixxINogdiwK-qJBOgJpRmJwymx248tppR1xoOi2z_Z-bwnVmEvO8Hzfo0d_yQPYkHAAjejAGf2wYu8FN7A/s624/IMG_20230514_173901291_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__J2Axl-piT5KsKbFwBLnvJO0i0i1YZeuDHDvnHbrOL7hjk-KGEHcywcB9h8kAUCHDUqRSZ9_IcPYBFvzK629qjMqV5HL8Jc9-GSCTfDnixxINogdiwK-qJBOgJpRmJwymx248tppR1xoOi2z_Z-bwnVmEvO8Hzfo0d_yQPYkHAAjejAGf2wYu8FN7A/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_173901291_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to find the same team, nice to have a ridge between you and enemy to move behind. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA55hdMZZ9ypEoflVfGMJMbE7Tzyh1pAoXURJeR5a8dg8fVxqVsuDIHnGyiz0I3bp55KwB0kUcAkuikQU85_kFGQwl9QwZOKmt9otGTdPY-gQKvIJzEjOwt6OW9ZX6YNcWpSIjHMjeZJ8evgBpRIOxArzACpPWbUFhzBIhaujYFhUmonGt_mGzgWGGQ/s624/IMG_20230514_182707385.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA55hdMZZ9ypEoflVfGMJMbE7Tzyh1pAoXURJeR5a8dg8fVxqVsuDIHnGyiz0I3bp55KwB0kUcAkuikQU85_kFGQwl9QwZOKmt9otGTdPY-gQKvIJzEjOwt6OW9ZX6YNcWpSIjHMjeZJ8evgBpRIOxArzACpPWbUFhzBIhaujYFhUmonGt_mGzgWGGQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_182707385.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At last, kaboom! First Churchill explodes from an 88 hit. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY5cUnh_j3H2P1qJv-qHFqA1E7KR-_mQfYxzKJTk415nCmnC08e22Kf1vR8l9gdvsotOQCbLecJjhTGNlmMXDw0q2GiOVw1yxtVehMdu7xCYoXpvgQdwbvoRMiyFqUtnuXyPHhiSPMJ91ghqLzGGNnrCVDwHVacY7_N90kgQaRPgIIjQVDl85Bel9hQ/s624/IMG_20230514_183034274.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY5cUnh_j3H2P1qJv-qHFqA1E7KR-_mQfYxzKJTk415nCmnC08e22Kf1vR8l9gdvsotOQCbLecJjhTGNlmMXDw0q2GiOVw1yxtVehMdu7xCYoXpvgQdwbvoRMiyFqUtnuXyPHhiSPMJ91ghqLzGGNnrCVDwHVacY7_N90kgQaRPgIIjQVDl85Bel9hQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_183034274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The others close in though, note the largely empty defences now. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzbpC9Hpl0QsZy-PdA9kwI2LClhSatBN3yuEjIpkP7Uk600Q1mJXm43ZK7KE-I-8SBuct5jJPzR2LaQt1G8SUD9Itp29rxAg52ruIHrZgdDl-WC9XK2swMFI5-L8HzB87em92VWWii-oYwajQaco3RigDxOhP-D72lJi0j2ggreJMoamVeBPaz3PkqQ/s624/IMG_20230514_183811913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzbpC9Hpl0QsZy-PdA9kwI2LClhSatBN3yuEjIpkP7Uk600Q1mJXm43ZK7KE-I-8SBuct5jJPzR2LaQt1G8SUD9Itp29rxAg52ruIHrZgdDl-WC9XK2swMFI5-L8HzB87em92VWWii-oYwajQaco3RigDxOhP-D72lJi0j2ggreJMoamVeBPaz3PkqQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230514_183811913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the slope, rare Churchill I, as the HG Division fall back off the ridge, too hot up there now. Mission complete for the boys from Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-70125458296105790372023-05-26T08:41:00.004-07:002023-05-27T01:09:58.435-07:00Third Assault on Aderklaa @ Wagram, scenario 6 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>The sixth game of our Wagram campaign, and the French’s third assault on Aderklaa, the last at this village I think. This time Morand’s division launch the assault to drive out the last Austrians, mostly grenadiers and infantry, with neither side with any cavalry support at all this time. So, a big infantry brawl.<br /><br />The game started (same battlefield as last time) with the French assault moving up, the German troops in the centre. Learning from last time, I decided not to offer the same resistance up front with my weakened grenadiers this time, battered and with fewer stands, the grenadiers would hold back and maybe launch a counter-attack, but I would try hard not to lose them (and the game) this time. <br /><br />On my right, the fresh grenadier brigade would launch a counter attack, and they started in march columns, for a swift advance, then into line or assault columns to drive into the French. Hopefully, their good resolve and musket and melee would see them give the French line infantry a bloody nose. I’d also attack on the left, my own line infantry, pushing up to divert troops from the village and threatened his weaker right, although there were a lot of French and Saxon batteries to face. They would do hellish damage for 2 turns, until ammo low events slowed them down a bit.<br /><br />In the centre, the German allies were soon in the first buildings, and claiming the objective, a good start, but my grenadiers were mostly unscathed this time and could counter-attack. French guns started brilliantly (helped by all three intense cannonade cards) and the Austrians were feeling the pain, one battalion breaking under the accurate fire. The French leapt out to an early lead in VPs as the Austrians were still moving up.<br /><br />With just skirmish fire in the village, both sides wary of pressing the other (it was too close to call really), the Austrian’s right grenadiers used a timely ‘well-drilled’ card to march up and deploy into firing lines, knowing a withering volley card was hand. The French suspected it too, but there was little they could do about it, as the grenadiers got another play and immediately unleashed a hellish volley that saw two French battalions badly damaged. One grenadier battalion also charged and drove off another French battalion in melee, the fightback was on. The French were forced to rally, battalions ragged after losses now. On the right my infantry pressed on, the cannon fire slackening thankfully, but now the infantry fight was on, skirmish fire, then a few volleys started to add to the carnage. I had saved a card until last, the second withering volley! Ouch! My grenadiers poured the fire in again and as the smoke cleared 3 French battalions had been broken, fleeing in a turn that saw the French left brigade shattered with just 1 battalion left facing 3 grenadier ones with their dander-up. That flank was in big trouble. Next turn and I could press my advantage here, the Austrians were now in the lead on VPs, but the French knew they needed a win in the centre or on their right to pull it back. A furious turn of charges, volleys, counter-charges followed, and one Austrian line battalion broke under German bayonets, but as they did, so did the final battalion of the French left, leaving just an artillery battery of the entire brigade, under counter-battery fire from my artillery and on the verge of breaking too, having seen the columns gunned down by my grenadiers. We added up the VPs, the French had not quite done enough damage to salvage the battle, whilst they had broken, just, themselves. It was close though, just 1 VP left for the Austrians, but enough to score them a first marginal win of the campaign. <br /><br />Great game, it really swung hard in turn 3, with carnage from my grenadiers, that did the business as my best infantry should (but rarely do). No cavalry to worry about was a fun twist, we both just get stuck in, not having to worry about cavalry attacks. Maybe the Austrian comeback has begun, as we go into game 7, leave Aderklaa behind, and head over to the French right with Davout’s Corps and his attack on, and around, Markgrafneuseidl. Let see if the Austrians can hold as well… another infantry brawl (but no grenadiers). </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASFNZPeLk_PvBfLoeoESyvHPl5lyJvVHwWgQj4okL-BfAUxyZD-DzgozAeWr0lOZ_5pn1ecdnpzq-JrBzALSy6_nfa1uA2yKL__ZwSzRtpqg_HPT0ryzZbShVkwGaggcLdEc2qKWDTaocvOzqtpvrEHuss4h0rm2Uek3eyItGwYEFfbtFvyGxwKzU7w/s624/IMG_20230519_104638498.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASFNZPeLk_PvBfLoeoESyvHPl5lyJvVHwWgQj4okL-BfAUxyZD-DzgozAeWr0lOZ_5pn1ecdnpzq-JrBzALSy6_nfa1uA2yKL__ZwSzRtpqg_HPT0ryzZbShVkwGaggcLdEc2qKWDTaocvOzqtpvrEHuss4h0rm2Uek3eyItGwYEFfbtFvyGxwKzU7w/w300-h400/IMG_20230519_104638498.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field, over the Russbach stream from the Wagram slopes. Aderklaa and not much else. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbFD7x2gKFk04N9qvUM1bVdH6_PlZKx0Sn09rR8OmvPO5hHMuIrb10uCtK76_SuBUvcDFIAqHdzdCVAI6WNij7CnMohB4vvEZku7g3RQP8ZLeGY_kqWLsfpLR8G6ZpYIRTBlzCR9lJmquMaVirdJrizrEM0lv7H3yo1i7ks9huwQRSBjmimcpvSQeig/s624/IMG_20230519_112933725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbFD7x2gKFk04N9qvUM1bVdH6_PlZKx0Sn09rR8OmvPO5hHMuIrb10uCtK76_SuBUvcDFIAqHdzdCVAI6WNij7CnMohB4vvEZku7g3RQP8ZLeGY_kqWLsfpLR8G6ZpYIRTBlzCR9lJmquMaVirdJrizrEM0lv7H3yo1i7ks9huwQRSBjmimcpvSQeig/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_112933725.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grenadier brigade arriving on the right, at the quick, hauling guns up to. Go, go, go... no time to waste. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K40JlsNoLF_uQszauq4v1loIAoCrio_EGVfICTiYrPhFarzgzXs8Wgd1ZdQ-QkttQPeClIpIWpAy6JAtAQopOipNWdGJhgDpH2KyoS8NMhllKyEHERuJFeyMyito1o5igvzJL2_0zCyGU-pnutUkiq6cwQwRljzcCWii1_zCfhV_TD_L1cgy9qZwNg/s624/IMG_20230519_112943009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K40JlsNoLF_uQszauq4v1loIAoCrio_EGVfICTiYrPhFarzgzXs8Wgd1ZdQ-QkttQPeClIpIWpAy6JAtAQopOipNWdGJhgDpH2KyoS8NMhllKyEHERuJFeyMyito1o5igvzJL2_0zCyGU-pnutUkiq6cwQwRljzcCWii1_zCfhV_TD_L1cgy9qZwNg/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_112943009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infantry on the Austrian left, beyond, burning Aderklaa. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP2VG5Sa7e2KdKZRknA2w2UwPFae7HOO6QwsL2dK1wFYfKSrrEN5mOtiodTUdDHkVWbxbrKql84HDA3cP6eEB1SUEhCwy9bWaLX7bCKaINAZE7Pmfv8FjiaaTRsVHIHynrXeuMDvHvazH61oRYvemeQVWGg1jPpmUctBylrFCU_Szgok0cRqiBvbA5g/s624/IMG_20230519_113003701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP2VG5Sa7e2KdKZRknA2w2UwPFae7HOO6QwsL2dK1wFYfKSrrEN5mOtiodTUdDHkVWbxbrKql84HDA3cP6eEB1SUEhCwy9bWaLX7bCKaINAZE7Pmfv8FjiaaTRsVHIHynrXeuMDvHvazH61oRYvemeQVWGg1jPpmUctBylrFCU_Szgok0cRqiBvbA5g/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_113003701.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French and Saxon gunners give the Austrians a good hammering to start with, until the ammo ran low. A lot of heavy work for the gunners. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg427Lmn7HJ9Vw-9pQ42i2f9rBQSFW4nzugILO5DXom1Ck9rbLvtKzYHs0-TwLHWAYQ-NLHpQgi9vfvkQ0nCCQ9p-C7CjJqXvJ1yoRWb_SPVBRIkagUweUdS3-TYdl7WxbSdvzOUOTN7vTEa4ajsTItdFOb8Gn9GgZ2sdm0mObUWPqzepAirrca4KkiDQ/s624/IMG_20230519_120305497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg427Lmn7HJ9Vw-9pQ42i2f9rBQSFW4nzugILO5DXom1Ck9rbLvtKzYHs0-TwLHWAYQ-NLHpQgi9vfvkQ0nCCQ9p-C7CjJqXvJ1yoRWb_SPVBRIkagUweUdS3-TYdl7WxbSdvzOUOTN7vTEa4ajsTItdFOb8Gn9GgZ2sdm0mObUWPqzepAirrca4KkiDQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_120305497.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grenadiers arrive and with smooth precision deploy into two battalion lines, facing 4 French battalion columns, muskets leveled... wait, wait... fire! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmFtpeiaJf5x4LIoLASOKuXmO-DiNiS40FJYbKBuI8wlYhdsqjt-mhRVmaLJISCMUGYLXFvY5kGatVo5LLg19nBF4ZfcgiiNtBuKZGzFOVsm-njYVckdq8i7DUeVfr98ZzmzjVoKbuNnkSJrdMollWkFpzGWP0taXEaoDAvTBExLDaGM8a4IQSI2a6g/s624/IMG_20230519_120329625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmFtpeiaJf5x4LIoLASOKuXmO-DiNiS40FJYbKBuI8wlYhdsqjt-mhRVmaLJISCMUGYLXFvY5kGatVo5LLg19nBF4ZfcgiiNtBuKZGzFOVsm-njYVckdq8i7DUeVfr98ZzmzjVoKbuNnkSJrdMollWkFpzGWP0taXEaoDAvTBExLDaGM8a4IQSI2a6g/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_120329625.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little action in the actual village, but the French have some houses, the Austrians loiter towards the rear and look for chance to counter attack. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJraINJIIJOTvbNvbxcOzAN2JoR-3KIP6uJPu5wn7YHsWOZxRJcPA-tT266b30_kKB2lAIo4CBbLWU5C0_4tufO9HGBXhbXj-t5ZL2Q-zJLw8AG0e0gs2_J9bBiWi0fSP82GkzvjLcOp7v6vcq-AuEpK67GjNvdjUmVjh6vikmsQ5P5132md2awmjwcQ/s624/IMG_20230519_122558227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJraINJIIJOTvbNvbxcOzAN2JoR-3KIP6uJPu5wn7YHsWOZxRJcPA-tT266b30_kKB2lAIo4CBbLWU5C0_4tufO9HGBXhbXj-t5ZL2Q-zJLw8AG0e0gs2_J9bBiWi0fSP82GkzvjLcOp7v6vcq-AuEpK67GjNvdjUmVjh6vikmsQ5P5132md2awmjwcQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_122558227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After two withering volleys the French are reduced to 1 battalion left and in big trouble. My boys with the big hats would pour it on again next turn too... crushing the French left. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzbXPGEDESZPrlgbPGG9xv7Wd-4CHJHy-nHDp8cXVr6vq4kVodRTffO4R7Hovzo3sbwUt860p-hbRF_R4EaDjqjy6sI6NvkwRciJxpPFPWRx42gxyF0UInQtk9nBf0CcKb9DDJKCuybb5JTriWObFarCx2eiB0vk6T3-ZgjuyIBBV3XzC91-wvDeD7A/s624/IMG_20230519_122607984.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzbXPGEDESZPrlgbPGG9xv7Wd-4CHJHy-nHDp8cXVr6vq4kVodRTffO4R7Hovzo3sbwUt860p-hbRF_R4EaDjqjy6sI6NvkwRciJxpPFPWRx42gxyF0UInQtk9nBf0CcKb9DDJKCuybb5JTriWObFarCx2eiB0vk6T3-ZgjuyIBBV3XzC91-wvDeD7A/w400-h300/IMG_20230519_122607984.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few French/Germans hold out in Aderklaa, but under cannon and skirmish fire, its getting hot. They would pull back to rally, leaving the village in no-man's land. As on the day, neither side secured the village and it ended up between the lines. All that fighting for little result for either side. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-35985808172760425032023-05-12T06:32:00.002-07:002023-05-12T06:50:46.994-07:00Second Assault on Aderklaa @ Wagram, scenario 5 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>The fifth of our Wagram scenario series, as the French attack again at Aderklaa, mid-morning, with the rest of St Cyr’s division, including a big brigade of Hesse- Darmstadt infantry (looking suspiciously French) and with some Saxons (on their left). The Austrian defenders are the grenadiers holding the village itself, with infantry (lots of it) on the left and the cuirassiers still stationed on the right rear after the last time (but suitably reduced in numbers after their terrible losses in game 4). <br /><br />With the French launching an all out assault, my plan was to hold firm in the centre for as long as possible and counter-attack on the left and right, infantry and cavalry. No sitting back, I’d go forward and get stuck in to aid the grenadiers who could hopefully be relied upon to hold on to the houses for long enough.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepm-nPdmEq4ZJDZMmMNha7KH-G7UBfQRAGPUuWNNqqJgNP5TRDC_yUQCNoG5n8jL3FmA59mp2odkrhPGFLdHOwBd-OWwic7HGgsCRLsdch-pB1H5KJ4vw2hP_sI1mpuDc8pUyS2uiupTN4q0K9NTv_5jQEvToSoH-PuVrl7Gvxlx9lryo12Gdq5YlIw/s624/IMG_20230506_090802636.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepm-nPdmEq4ZJDZMmMNha7KH-G7UBfQRAGPUuWNNqqJgNP5TRDC_yUQCNoG5n8jL3FmA59mp2odkrhPGFLdHOwBd-OWwic7HGgsCRLsdch-pB1H5KJ4vw2hP_sI1mpuDc8pUyS2uiupTN4q0K9NTv_5jQEvToSoH-PuVrl7Gvxlx9lryo12Gdq5YlIw/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_090802636.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field of battle, Aderklaa in the centre, Austrians will deploy on the left, French and allies to the right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />The French didn’t waste any time in moving up, the Germans racing up, four assault columns behind a screen of two fusilier battalions and the skirmishing fire began, which was bad for my ‘skirmish shirking’ grenadiers, the disruption quickly mounted on them. My infantry marched up and deployed their own skirmishers too, whilst the cuirassiers advanced but slowly, because for some reason I’d unthinkingly put them in a line instead of march column for speed, and so they trotted up, whilst taking French/German cannon fire, which forced me to rally them too, all far too slow from them. Oops, my bad!<br /><br />In the centre, with my grenadiers under heavy pressure, two German columns charged through their screening fusiliers to press the assault, only to both be thrown back by tough old grenadiers invoking the power of big moustaches and bigger bayonets. Hurrah, but one battalion did then break. Still, I had another to feed in to the buildings and try to stop the French from claiming their ‘Take a Strongpoint’ objective. My infantry counter attack did well to start with, routing a Hessian fusilier battalion with musketry and a swift column charge… so far so good, losses on both sides, it was even(ish). <br /><br />Then it turned, the French allies, having failed to break into the houses sat back and shot them up, and the repeated skirmish and volley fire, despite rally’s broke both my grenadier units, leaving the village empty and a simple advance claimed the first buildings, the mighty moustaches had failed me! A timely whither volley also smashed one of my infantry battalions to iddy-bits and my counter attack on the left was faltering and needed to rally too. The cuirassiers were still struggling to get forwards and didn’t want to face another withering volley, so I held them back. They charge next turn, but by then the French infantry on his left would no doubt quickly form square. <br /><br />The French scored big in VPs and the Austrians were really up against it. My infantry on the left scored a few more musket hits but refused to counter-charge and get those buildings back. The French on their left, in line, didn’t form square in time and my cuirassiers gleefully charged home, and as the French line tried to run it was ridden down with total carnage, a gory massacre of the battalion from my heavy horse, doing their thing well… hurrah!… the second battalion quick did form square but then almost broke from intimidation anyway. They needed an emergency rally to avoid just running as well. It was all a turn too late though… because the Hesse-Darmstadt Lieb-Guard battalion had advanced clean through the village and emerged to jump my artillery battery by surprise, routing it and taking the guns as prizes. That was it for the poor Kaiserlichs… the French VPs reached 32 against my Break Point of 31 and the Austrians had lost (again - this is becoming repetitive). I had scored just 15 VPs from the French Break Point of 32, so it was a Decisive French win at Aderklaa. It is now 8-0 on battle victory points to the French, who are winning at Wagram unless I can mount a serious comeback, oh dear! <br /><br />Tbf, a few mistakes by me and some timely cards from the French saved him, plus maximum VPs for the Strongpoint objective (again). My cuirassiers should have done more, and I could have saved the grenadiers with another rally and fallen back, but I didn’t want to let him have the buildings, so stayed and fought and thus exposed them to too much fire (then lost the buildings anyway). A fallback, regroup and counter-attack would have been better in the house-to-house fighting… lesson learnt, because losing 3 grenadier battalions and their guns really cost me the game. For the French (and Germans) it was well played, even if the Saxons did nothing all game, beyond a few long range cannonades. It also didn’t help than in Turn 1 two of my gun batteries were low on ammo, so my cannon fire was very weak throughout… bring more powder and shot next time. <br /><br />On to game 6 next, and the third Aderklaa assault (in reality St Cyr was pulled back by Massena after heavy losses and Molitor’s division took over the very hot fighting for the village, that’s the next scenario). Archduke Charles need a win badly. Damn these Frenchmen fight hard… <br /></p><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoe8oEScVcmaPW_beeoM0MHP8LDv9KuXQqnw9x-wUc4Oc-T0sv9CjEurPRT23Fp2n8vTnNxjxdYWdCj04kpL9fH1ABpMpWa2sPi7CRfejpPkwUoYI10N9kJ17DsQWOjxHzyFRaszErWaeqCrJ5EB-jrfLQNa-q37YX4Y7xTMsmH_ryfZyHv30X3VI6w/s624/IMG_20230506_103550256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoe8oEScVcmaPW_beeoM0MHP8LDv9KuXQqnw9x-wUc4Oc-T0sv9CjEurPRT23Fp2n8vTnNxjxdYWdCj04kpL9fH1ABpMpWa2sPi7CRfejpPkwUoYI10N9kJ17DsQWOjxHzyFRaszErWaeqCrJ5EB-jrfLQNa-q37YX4Y7xTMsmH_ryfZyHv30X3VI6w/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_103550256.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian right, the cuirassiers, but with a long way to travel to reach the French lines. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg13tdrz-AabnRo0elpygslDmQkVC1hnnw31G3AYjwdCD5f_7UsxPRXyFTxzUPcivku3fzwf460n9hGjajDldl71PO8eId4cwvSNudA1ZijH7XrNW2zo71gEZZDNOKfTCq8-kPWKYGTIGQgLqmjUW626pydR2oRgYdh7xg7be4AOW0thwLhSPq6tGJA/s624/IMG_20230506_103604767.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg13tdrz-AabnRo0elpygslDmQkVC1hnnw31G3AYjwdCD5f_7UsxPRXyFTxzUPcivku3fzwf460n9hGjajDldl71PO8eId4cwvSNudA1ZijH7XrNW2zo71gEZZDNOKfTCq8-kPWKYGTIGQgLqmjUW626pydR2oRgYdh7xg7be4AOW0thwLhSPq6tGJA/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_103604767.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian left, a lot of infantry, mostly in column for the counter-attack. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgETI-ZpwAWnZR9JiFgEsrqtqFdn6shnZo-bcsDmqoyu-p6sg-SC_rFybF4TSfg0Vrb_qgL4cJbCfq4pFr-kLwv5nTWwhcX27llG8kyLfT1SROl0HwCxSuKXeGBu2WznxE0oASHQ3eKNEFgYXdPpqgPixN_45v5-PaJX6BIaq37lDmcumUohO7DWIdg/s624/IMG_20230506_103619472.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgETI-ZpwAWnZR9JiFgEsrqtqFdn6shnZo-bcsDmqoyu-p6sg-SC_rFybF4TSfg0Vrb_qgL4cJbCfq4pFr-kLwv5nTWwhcX27llG8kyLfT1SROl0HwCxSuKXeGBu2WznxE0oASHQ3eKNEFgYXdPpqgPixN_45v5-PaJX6BIaq37lDmcumUohO7DWIdg/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_103619472.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French attack columns on their left (with starting Disruption due to earlier fighting). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6k7S2nojTTEDCB5rZBZyXnODVf7006ecqHwEcvVOaySgD0QaWgipM-I_Gy4Hirz-N32_mrU7IhA6fOxOeRzdfxMZ4CKPD0mbjeOE8rmOxZWto0_jHDYzJna35KLT8PhkryVHd4m9CO34ztu2kZreIjoAEQUwWKo-OAW3FCIficcfgKPiI6mmL8Gdmg/s624/IMG_20230506_105926592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6k7S2nojTTEDCB5rZBZyXnODVf7006ecqHwEcvVOaySgD0QaWgipM-I_Gy4Hirz-N32_mrU7IhA6fOxOeRzdfxMZ4CKPD0mbjeOE8rmOxZWto0_jHDYzJna35KLT8PhkryVHd4m9CO34ztu2kZreIjoAEQUwWKo-OAW3FCIficcfgKPiI6mmL8Gdmg/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_105926592.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First French voltiguers investigate the village and open fire. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkFgU1jOa9Afi3OI80uWsS48JarduQl7b1ck8TzC4D5odaFFeQlH34bCnRd3-0i9CtzKEo-GTel26qpYNq2W9REQGx1ZpxNMBU0xHcT4gR5shZNNHuDLevCqyilZUg9OS_LdboRN_dZ9SaztJuoYLKjzU8vg7ZmVRhNkBOv1xeps4cvYV9tXzLXEzPQ/s624/IMG_20230506_103630265.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkFgU1jOa9Afi3OI80uWsS48JarduQl7b1ck8TzC4D5odaFFeQlH34bCnRd3-0i9CtzKEo-GTel26qpYNq2W9REQGx1ZpxNMBU0xHcT4gR5shZNNHuDLevCqyilZUg9OS_LdboRN_dZ9SaztJuoYLKjzU8vg7ZmVRhNkBOv1xeps4cvYV9tXzLXEzPQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_103630265.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The centre, Hesse-Darmstadt allies will go in, screened by their fusilier battalions in extended line. Beyond are the white-coat Saxons (the lazy fellows). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHrgQ47j8rZffdbGkhxT8i2Ln4eFmq14TNhMdo_zgZgM8xzo0JMsqwPa5cI_Yl-umCPjccs0KPff6gtjby3Jh7ejoT8RjK3dzmSTcxA08gpwa3YL948scUQVwjn9BYlqkutj556zwStpqAGBAxhUMmh4aqdFtFoCx5A2h12Jp4QtXMFSufEkLX5meyQ/s624/IMG_20230506_111238660.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHrgQ47j8rZffdbGkhxT8i2Ln4eFmq14TNhMdo_zgZgM8xzo0JMsqwPa5cI_Yl-umCPjccs0KPff6gtjby3Jh7ejoT8RjK3dzmSTcxA08gpwa3YL948scUQVwjn9BYlqkutj556zwStpqAGBAxhUMmh4aqdFtFoCx5A2h12Jp4QtXMFSufEkLX5meyQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_111238660.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A massive attack... six German battalions close in, facing just two in the buildings. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx1LShjtUT4Iu2eooOLZceAWfzMNRmnENdgy_IMQTR0XlXcvIRl-Ya1G06uyBmAm7yawzcl1SQwSmGbZ23sEe_hfLSzWaA-pr2OQThbFVFbDyJ8P6fOX1Jim1i2Tn35fqYidvJoTsTpLfDVooBsIMw1uFGlfr9R2-39WKI6BRc3gLaYzmu_ygKJQZNQ/s624/IMG_20230506_120237915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx1LShjtUT4Iu2eooOLZceAWfzMNRmnENdgy_IMQTR0XlXcvIRl-Ya1G06uyBmAm7yawzcl1SQwSmGbZ23sEe_hfLSzWaA-pr2OQThbFVFbDyJ8P6fOX1Jim1i2Tn35fqYidvJoTsTpLfDVooBsIMw1uFGlfr9R2-39WKI6BRc3gLaYzmu_ygKJQZNQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_120237915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The assault breaks in to the village and takes the first houses, again... led by the Lieb-Guard battalion. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfe6DAXWd8qTSbTitjl4Qu_c1kTzWJNMp-uipt9D5R6ZCpTK3QVGTpUD9GQ1Xz1yPP6LUvzK7UgdVpM7jUekQRWnb7o7KdEdA1EA7EgIrK39kAlW3DmDKDzgMe1xhwahJBTdB-tNnUYpNrTPBPU7nSzRE4J25NpJ57bAuQEUYX9SBhT1-vk5ZTw6QDQ/s624/IMG_20230506_120230124.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfe6DAXWd8qTSbTitjl4Qu_c1kTzWJNMp-uipt9D5R6ZCpTK3QVGTpUD9GQ1Xz1yPP6LUvzK7UgdVpM7jUekQRWnb7o7KdEdA1EA7EgIrK39kAlW3DmDKDzgMe1xhwahJBTdB-tNnUYpNrTPBPU7nSzRE4J25NpJ57bAuQEUYX9SBhT1-vk5ZTw6QDQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_120230124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian infantry counter-attack under way to the left of the village. Pressure on the French mounts. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarOo7RTuXAcBFAQD3qAdPGXiOH3hbPNDeJnkjzoxeCJZp-EWNVwmJddsFEDRCicZ-q0CChnir09Zuoyj8RGxWru76ubJwnpveF-1Lz60889GxFy5OCLOsGvi3ljBPrTWtIgdpEJYStJhwAiNOzi7zJ3b4-F0lfRGaXs5xezJTIHovEwtXiQbtFPEkSQ/s624/IMG_20230506_125039972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarOo7RTuXAcBFAQD3qAdPGXiOH3hbPNDeJnkjzoxeCJZp-EWNVwmJddsFEDRCicZ-q0CChnir09Zuoyj8RGxWru76ubJwnpveF-1Lz60889GxFy5OCLOsGvi3ljBPrTWtIgdpEJYStJhwAiNOzi7zJ3b4-F0lfRGaXs5xezJTIHovEwtXiQbtFPEkSQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_125039972.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At last, the cuirassiers arrive, crushing one battalion in a bloody rout and threatening the next, which must hastily form square and then almost runs anyway. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nQ1GHdcGnNLdP4QRqWFfT7J6q9z7dJXy5GGA6W-0H1ru7Ppf2ZMdKQ9HWofEZPYRvYjdJfH090Cknp8JhMpG3BjKaOYof9ijfbHItPnC70m7xxEX6m53leeGlcayfMDU85S3eOLssH06mpkYDTb6_oKXHXczSdooaP3yvtL1TArzEHYgT7aiaI4Qtg/s624/IMG_20230506_125031263.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nQ1GHdcGnNLdP4QRqWFfT7J6q9z7dJXy5GGA6W-0H1ru7Ppf2ZMdKQ9HWofEZPYRvYjdJfH090Cknp8JhMpG3BjKaOYof9ijfbHItPnC70m7xxEX6m53leeGlcayfMDU85S3eOLssH06mpkYDTb6_oKXHXczSdooaP3yvtL1TArzEHYgT7aiaI4Qtg/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_125031263.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The
enemy have Aderklaa... and the grenadier's command stand is in danger
of being captured. He needs to get out of there... swarming with
Germans...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F3D4QNEiDVyprofpP0fZnV5w6TqeQiZGuE5I1rx5EL1zCoDPRu6mhTdwLRIsjnMujFeaExwIfGS16FJrX2HVXPKVq5OJaKckA7AQSsmiFlyoOJO8Vg9W3LCt0vP2SMopIAeNxbaWG5TFFrDVsJaS-dS3tclliPu4QdFDR9iS9MLNAH5b5fSCbloC0w/s624/IMG_20230506_130153003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F3D4QNEiDVyprofpP0fZnV5w6TqeQiZGuE5I1rx5EL1zCoDPRu6mhTdwLRIsjnMujFeaExwIfGS16FJrX2HVXPKVq5OJaKckA7AQSsmiFlyoOJO8Vg9W3LCt0vP2SMopIAeNxbaWG5TFFrDVsJaS-dS3tclliPu4QdFDR9iS9MLNAH5b5fSCbloC0w/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_130153003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesson learnt, the French are now in square, but face multiple intimidation checks, which almost break them anyway. A lot of wobbly knee'd Frenchmen... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXiKa6rdde4L71stb6thAcqa4xsgoL38g9PoEkYXh2olMn7MphIDdFBPFu995AfM44EB9MahHYfnQOHpG0B9j2UDE1Sgqp6YB2cvPRiPZnOo4WGltOEEq6-ZLHJ6frr4Nldn8GjDVf2AGZbdw3st7ffB3pRZ991wWFlhD-IBBmUh2YSoVXmvwBuC9gg/s624/IMG_20230506_131250034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXiKa6rdde4L71stb6thAcqa4xsgoL38g9PoEkYXh2olMn7MphIDdFBPFu995AfM44EB9MahHYfnQOHpG0B9j2UDE1Sgqp6YB2cvPRiPZnOo4WGltOEEq6-ZLHJ6frr4Nldn8GjDVf2AGZbdw3st7ffB3pRZ991wWFlhD-IBBmUh2YSoVXmvwBuC9gg/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_131250034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have cleared the village and control it, not much left for me to try and retake it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzDkEe5XlNKbvCTTyZJyJF1OwJoRgKtgvSI6eg1IkjtwQfQdA0t7WSILFebuc_tMui-VoDBW768IPK-5gKktNxdyvM3hHWFVoX6WaJWa8qB1kViNsHqE8ARksmDdVscaaV7Ihh1RDCiCs3R3FRdnIgJvo5biUHdA0VUI56IRykfheeq_qAZRljlTqyQ/s624/IMG_20230506_131805324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzDkEe5XlNKbvCTTyZJyJF1OwJoRgKtgvSI6eg1IkjtwQfQdA0t7WSILFebuc_tMui-VoDBW768IPK-5gKktNxdyvM3hHWFVoX6WaJWa8qB1kViNsHqE8ARksmDdVscaaV7Ihh1RDCiCs3R3FRdnIgJvo5biUHdA0VUI56IRykfheeq_qAZRljlTqyQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_131805324.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian infantry counter attack as stalled, fought to standstill in heavy musketry, both sides with heavy losses, but a stalemate isn't good enough for the Austrians. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTR2quGNMJpEvtlRGfpigw9sIQvCVRmPhMYJE0oLn1Ef9RTPJOKe7OninoLeaYTpb-QLm3wzYkpvu6w50wLOSRlP063s7jKg8UVvXrq9bbdUJVothTfq79DsBopO3NzVKaLdBBKIdlcjwh3lzRsy27m_BserN-xzANMxvgAx2p-jtqcaAJnUN5BOHWg/s624/IMG_20230506_130141827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTR2quGNMJpEvtlRGfpigw9sIQvCVRmPhMYJE0oLn1Ef9RTPJOKe7OninoLeaYTpb-QLm3wzYkpvu6w50wLOSRlP063s7jKg8UVvXrq9bbdUJVothTfq79DsBopO3NzVKaLdBBKIdlcjwh3lzRsy27m_BserN-xzANMxvgAx2p-jtqcaAJnUN5BOHWg/w400-h300/IMG_20230506_130141827.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lieb-Guards' attack burst through the village and overrun the Austrian supporting cannon battery behind. All seems lost. All is lost!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-86155516608747372172023-05-05T09:17:00.004-07:002023-05-05T09:19:43.470-07:00Fantasy Battle... Soldiers of "something"... a play-test. <p>A longer term plan is to write a fantasy battles version of Soldiers of God (or Soldiers of Rome), using the same basic rules and card-driven turn sequence, and have a set a rules I like for my old WFB armies. I have a large High Elf force, which I've added to with a few command stands, and a dark Elf army to match them, a classic WFB match-up of hated foes. I also have Daemons of Khorne, but not enough, so these are now summoned Dark Elf allies, using their vile, dark sorcery (and many sacrifices no doubt). <br /></p><p>As with other Soldiers of, the armies had 3 'companies' a left, centre and right and these each had their own part in the battle plan. Here, by random choice, both commanders chose to attack on their right, holding on their left, with the Dark Elves supporting attack in the centre against the holding High Elves on their hill. </p><p>The Dark Elf attack was powerful, led by their lord on his black wyvern, with heavy knights (riding lizards), demons, a giant hydra and fanatical witch elves... eek! Their infantry and crossbows were in the centre and left. The High Elves met this with a skirmishing left flank of light cavalry and rangers, all very good archers (Elves!), a solid centre of bolt throwers on the hill with spear-armed infantry to defend them and attacking elite infantry led by their lord on his griffon. Both also had a single sorcerer and a pool and spell dice to spend throughout the battle. </p><p>As battle began, cards being played to March, Manoeuvre, Loose! and Charge! etc. as would be familiar to 'Soldiers of' players, it worked well, and the Dark Elf attack was taking a lot of hits from good Elven archery, but they rallied it off and the mighty hydra regenerated, so the attack still looked strong as it closed in. A characterful 'impetuous charge' special event saw the witch elves rush in before the knights could charge, thwarting them, but the witch elves still cut down the Elven infantry in a bloodbath. Meanwhile, the demons were waning in power fast (their Resolve drops each turn) and struggling... targetted by bolt thowers one unit was routed (well, banished back to the spirit plane). </p><p>Magic had its effect, the Dark Elf sorceress using most of her spell dice to summon a greater demon, and sending it off to attack the hill. As it was about to charge, the Elven sorcerer did likewise and countered it with a summoned dragon (I'm going to change this to a Phoenix I think, and get a model). These two mighty beast fought it out for several turns, before killing each other in a stalemate. </p><p>Hero the day was the Elven Prince on his griffon, who swooped in to rout the hunting hounds(not biggy for them, cheap expendable troops) and then targeted the war alter which was drawing in more magical power for the sorceress. His attack against its guardians and priestess was another prolonged fight, but when he won it, slaying the evil priestess, the battle was won for the forces of light... a solid High Elf victory... <br /></p><p>That scratched an old Warhammer itch, and moved the rule's development along a bit, with a new magic system I really enjoyed and some revised stats of the monsters and how they work, including special events that allow them to rampage about and make 'death blow' mega-attacks against other monsters (Godzilla style). Flying things, as always are a pain and very powerful... need to up the points for flying... all still very much WIP. <br /></p><p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcOyCuOVdNlotuYDAD9U57C_lD6gJ5k0Hf3P2TD5PPwNKh-ZKYxNeezatrPoup39gOdF9KYKryk_c0bhT9wxuxqFEaGh3TCE6hNqA4vGFIktHIYkrznHRmOx2rpHPPBgz49-Ylniy09duoW5qc3FrFr-19E8byFRl7T-5Wt7cYBgpL6XFNTs99D5PIQ/s624/IMG_20230501_125626895.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcOyCuOVdNlotuYDAD9U57C_lD6gJ5k0Hf3P2TD5PPwNKh-ZKYxNeezatrPoup39gOdF9KYKryk_c0bhT9wxuxqFEaGh3TCE6hNqA4vGFIktHIYkrznHRmOx2rpHPPBgz49-Ylniy09duoW5qc3FrFr-19E8byFRl7T-5Wt7cYBgpL6XFNTs99D5PIQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_125626895.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-deployment, random terrain generation: a hill, 3 rocks (1 was the magical menhir) and a small wood, that is it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GxksTTz_zohmFpNRa-iecPNPvcBG6MIYX5p82k5o_ik-RJRwYcZlWiE30ES0ErIctTj2yPBKN2hCCew5JANcTJw_60rEgm-WTUHXHuP6duU6qtEpyrV3atjMk5dvLIfm-qCGZ_nBHsBML7iHHBR6wbBiCnTqaEBqLQGqNz2ePJHep5G-8CWYJZXB-w/s624/IMG_20230501_125640669.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GxksTTz_zohmFpNRa-iecPNPvcBG6MIYX5p82k5o_ik-RJRwYcZlWiE30ES0ErIctTj2yPBKN2hCCew5JANcTJw_60rEgm-WTUHXHuP6duU6qtEpyrV3atjMk5dvLIfm-qCGZ_nBHsBML7iHHBR6wbBiCnTqaEBqLQGqNz2ePJHep5G-8CWYJZXB-w/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_125640669.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Elves have come to tap the magical power of the menhir, and use it to summon more demons to their aid. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTpmqzxhcEYHRiAcCtLKiD6sg9bvAFcDvwIzaE-eKAy4tZJyYHCa06OYMuO3yjWslK8H4LzaKwt88HC_5W33EF5EQ_v7BgVpV1uhodVuTeoNNCKNYUlqGygIk4i6d1IEWink6ziRz8_88u6JcataC1EjMhTEF_OHh3NN9BN3G90aYmzaJpV3R67U6Og/s624/IMG_20230501_134431827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTpmqzxhcEYHRiAcCtLKiD6sg9bvAFcDvwIzaE-eKAy4tZJyYHCa06OYMuO3yjWslK8H4LzaKwt88HC_5W33EF5EQ_v7BgVpV1uhodVuTeoNNCKNYUlqGygIk4i6d1IEWink6ziRz8_88u6JcataC1EjMhTEF_OHh3NN9BN3G90aYmzaJpV3R67U6Og/w300-h400/IMG_20230501_134431827.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Elf left, their main strike force ready to charge. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97QF3FFN5hYxV0yxi7NxE8LRIjF_qlkCrAqfzoaDXzPC9tNphdNniKu6Pbwm2mOUmGQAvz2y_IfH4pgfkaZW43R9JX8aqdU3aFj_OroJEYa0WvWSLgp1NPBYpPkjVPdC0Cp5lpPL6rdCHPpGYgHvHsFvmgN5YeqrMdY7M6D-NGPjYnd6HPjUXJiwAsw/s624/IMG_20230501_134504135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97QF3FFN5hYxV0yxi7NxE8LRIjF_qlkCrAqfzoaDXzPC9tNphdNniKu6Pbwm2mOUmGQAvz2y_IfH4pgfkaZW43R9JX8aqdU3aFj_OroJEYa0WvWSLgp1NPBYpPkjVPdC0Cp5lpPL6rdCHPpGYgHvHsFvmgN5YeqrMdY7M6D-NGPjYnd6HPjUXJiwAsw/w300-h400/IMG_20230501_134504135.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing them, the light-weight left right. Horse archers, rangers (all excellent archers) and solid infantry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU-4auEfiWOvmz7SwTpCGWT9ao6SQWsW-miPDwmxIIDk3xypo3G18xXA_tJ52ILF4nD5bhSJgngS1KTHXxA8zg5Av_MC0tJ7v9ehs6Bt1fknPZWj7z3OqvQy8SiYOnMOI_O8x13H--Vnj5IjZJdzKgcHqyvOkw1NcxM7SkNvtAzPmtiEMEOzC7muWpg/s624/IMG_20230501_134523758.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU-4auEfiWOvmz7SwTpCGWT9ao6SQWsW-miPDwmxIIDk3xypo3G18xXA_tJ52ILF4nD5bhSJgngS1KTHXxA8zg5Av_MC0tJ7v9ehs6Bt1fknPZWj7z3OqvQy8SiYOnMOI_O8x13H--Vnj5IjZJdzKgcHqyvOkw1NcxM7SkNvtAzPmtiEMEOzC7muWpg/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_134523758.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the centre, on the hill, the bolt throwers and more infantry (which will move to clear the line of sight)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1rIKgGgqKI9KWc7zgkFYwC6BSwzBVwpYMno1zCJOJO2lMGCidOdXmlG3xDZJRuIbta3Gq5zq2wV2BViIl7MoTVRBPeSdBBab6IMBEmJYCC2XmtUyhjZ5bn6ZeECWijILH1Xn6uhSZANVYNp_YRLaRd1X1lJAoA-2_Ged7vmUKXDbm9obCOPYy2uElw/s624/IMG_20230501_134603344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1rIKgGgqKI9KWc7zgkFYwC6BSwzBVwpYMno1zCJOJO2lMGCidOdXmlG3xDZJRuIbta3Gq5zq2wV2BViIl7MoTVRBPeSdBBab6IMBEmJYCC2XmtUyhjZ5bn6ZeECWijILH1Xn6uhSZANVYNp_YRLaRd1X1lJAoA-2_Ged7vmUKXDbm9obCOPYy2uElw/w300-h400/IMG_20230501_134603344.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Elf battle lines, their leader aloft on his wyvern, to lead right flank attack. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPioeYAkNcAz1JXkmCCV3Fw1RFTgtcsVlP7AceXWF3P6t0g39qSGAtTkzgYsVh8cddaKOrvRgfmcgNWa0iB2pBD4N_Uxo9YkHCV5l6xw5R1ceI8gNQ-YlUkIqU7PF9to3vl2iDCrsRzdikq0iuNyYlMDrO0_Bp6P_kZpF8xfXTVeoo_2fn5qeyJ9K1A/s624/IMG_20230501_142602246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPioeYAkNcAz1JXkmCCV3Fw1RFTgtcsVlP7AceXWF3P6t0g39qSGAtTkzgYsVh8cddaKOrvRgfmcgNWa0iB2pBD4N_Uxo9YkHCV5l6xw5R1ceI8gNQ-YlUkIqU7PF9to3vl2iDCrsRzdikq0iuNyYlMDrO0_Bp6P_kZpF8xfXTVeoo_2fn5qeyJ9K1A/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_142602246.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince
Ithilmar and his griffon make mince-meat of the hunting hounds sent out to
harry the bolt throwers. The first casualties of the day are the hounds, no match
for an enraged griffon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkMlDCQB1NSmtnGnW6KXB3mRiNea2Wxekm0FquauqZR-CYjo1evITA3gZ5ypE6Cj-FsRz4ONKCh4qjM68fgYru8CzAx5gRyeskBKnRc0tGkZ7WAf9LBljJ9Wkdlo-ygELpGh5-rUDIgQOkcEjnZqPb_KNF4pOLptnKIzwsxeK-05YlRVKw_ZCHVAUaw/s624/IMG_20230501_142551182.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkMlDCQB1NSmtnGnW6KXB3mRiNea2Wxekm0FquauqZR-CYjo1evITA3gZ5ypE6Cj-FsRz4ONKCh4qjM68fgYru8CzAx5gRyeskBKnRc0tGkZ7WAf9LBljJ9Wkdlo-ygELpGh5-rUDIgQOkcEjnZqPb_KNF4pOLptnKIzwsxeK-05YlRVKw_ZCHVAUaw/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_142551182.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Elf lord is soon countered by the two giant eagles which swoop in to begin a protracted fight with the wyvern, high above the battle below. In the end, the eagles brought him down. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvP_vPBzOXsBO1G7r7isjJWqBeB_0NnOfcU6EjBTQUyWxvvdy59xTLy-W6YT9oxthm_mTYXX4KYWW1YPbulm5qhWnGeHTPyyqz0InIq6b4W3yojaD6VbmCJqaGWGs8o3nGTumF8xBd20ZycoR61UA3YD7l_Ne9YiDJCztGA4lyDN_Oy8OiFkI8z6uXg/s624/IMG_20230501_142544516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvP_vPBzOXsBO1G7r7isjJWqBeB_0NnOfcU6EjBTQUyWxvvdy59xTLy-W6YT9oxthm_mTYXX4KYWW1YPbulm5qhWnGeHTPyyqz0InIq6b4W3yojaD6VbmCJqaGWGs8o3nGTumF8xBd20ZycoR61UA3YD7l_Ne9YiDJCztGA4lyDN_Oy8OiFkI8z6uXg/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_142544516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evil attack closes in, as the Elven light horse pepper them with arrows and retreat. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeu1eh26sbmKpbAdwo_T9XAtWZeVezukere-sF7vH4WSDlYHozvvywQuZZMl_6ExfRaiVpCADeVRt3msz-qVAMRmocEjzHySUz_tZxBTHtjXjsZG6Oc1j41DUsXphKT2vIfXKMV6OAx-rCK3yGkHH2dz-WYV_yvxyjTWQKQJBABDaCvAjhhu2evgKlw/s624/IMG_20230501_134533582.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeu1eh26sbmKpbAdwo_T9XAtWZeVezukere-sF7vH4WSDlYHozvvywQuZZMl_6ExfRaiVpCADeVRt3msz-qVAMRmocEjzHySUz_tZxBTHtjXjsZG6Oc1j41DUsXphKT2vIfXKMV6OAx-rCK3yGkHH2dz-WYV_yvxyjTWQKQJBABDaCvAjhhu2evgKlw/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_134533582.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Elf left, crossbows and the war alter of bloody carnage... a fearsome magical artifact drawing more magical power to it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U60QI6aEbRv1P7h7XccVy26Mnqy4BccvxfmeI0yQfo7QqFtv9oqwGxN7FzZ_kzFE0vLk4VF35V_AhQzGS_5Bspja4WTA7X115OY7nd74qAUmdFi3e9NIvIzzpi3YxjMyEQVSfIO8mml-KpOK5VmgIUwnCkOeZOdC9q6bUScgWQOre3cMNVnTlt0SjA/s624/IMG_20230501_150855231.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U60QI6aEbRv1P7h7XccVy26Mnqy4BccvxfmeI0yQfo7QqFtv9oqwGxN7FzZ_kzFE0vLk4VF35V_AhQzGS_5Bspja4WTA7X115OY7nd74qAUmdFi3e9NIvIzzpi3YxjMyEQVSfIO8mml-KpOK5VmgIUwnCkOeZOdC9q6bUScgWQOre3cMNVnTlt0SjA/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_150855231.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enemy
approaching as the light cavalry seek shelter behind the infantry. They
have fallen back as far as they can go. They must stand and fight now. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVFq8HJU2w-WbYIE0CQaf9exMRrvDLCegvDe6_RvGdW1Hhs83BI2JgN9Gt_u_jzvoC_HbaLJOfy854LO7ySalJ86WgC1DKY7GfjlEH5_GKQuDstXuT5pc8PsIid2ckHNukumapYAiJDfZS0167mkiT9BdEtMZ-GgKUmuLjY19b7Cvl2xvQeHObIzTdw/s624/IMG_20230501_170911751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVFq8HJU2w-WbYIE0CQaf9exMRrvDLCegvDe6_RvGdW1Hhs83BI2JgN9Gt_u_jzvoC_HbaLJOfy854LO7ySalJ86WgC1DKY7GfjlEH5_GKQuDstXuT5pc8PsIid2ckHNukumapYAiJDfZS0167mkiT9BdEtMZ-GgKUmuLjY19b7Cvl2xvQeHObIzTdw/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_170911751.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bold Elven hero charges on his griffon, overcoming the altar's terror to try and destroy it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV6orpBasfOpqMWdknjCtzJRcDr2yR_qZLtBahkCUlkZ0Ye_qcccI9ONvw7-1EYnVvrwTdunABuMt4k2Bng3CxcpHxD2yGv4_xmD6v-QuiAVvmMnHMdL0gFqVCO-bavyVxjG_8493XS3xp0RkSNlfWQ8hgGVQOk9b5SPnPSx7FMVfhu4SvVeV7otSjw/s624/IMG_20230501_161158634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV6orpBasfOpqMWdknjCtzJRcDr2yR_qZLtBahkCUlkZ0Ye_qcccI9ONvw7-1EYnVvrwTdunABuMt4k2Bng3CxcpHxD2yGv4_xmD6v-QuiAVvmMnHMdL0gFqVCO-bavyVxjG_8493XS3xp0RkSNlfWQ8hgGVQOk9b5SPnPSx7FMVfhu4SvVeV7otSjw/w400-h300/IMG_20230501_161158634.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demons charge in and hack down the Elven cavalry, with each passing turn their power is waning. The Dark Elf attack does damage as the infantry are also routed, but not quickly enough... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhRH9gsrG7wa1d4lQIk3BkfoGSTcmQXQF9Hs1M3UdHGLohzSMgxwrsZVlY75LJvHtOMNzCi5svYUpgncBMkd_qXt191c6zfMzHiPeg4FSLYh-qVxWwjpdDDvpIUHsY_kyX3zp9Xo4ko0-cJLXZ31KC32TXW8WgMKauJwKcywMc8OlTC9l-WYpAD6zSA/s624/IMG_20230501_150905810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhRH9gsrG7wa1d4lQIk3BkfoGSTcmQXQF9Hs1M3UdHGLohzSMgxwrsZVlY75LJvHtOMNzCi5svYUpgncBMkd_qXt191c6zfMzHiPeg4FSLYh-qVxWwjpdDDvpIUHsY_kyX3zp9Xo4ko0-cJLXZ31KC32TXW8WgMKauJwKcywMc8OlTC9l-WYpAD6zSA/w300-h400/IMG_20230501_150905810.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Elf sorcerers spent all her power to summon a great demon to her bidding, and it flew in to attack the elven centre from behind, only to be denied its prize by the Elves sorcerer summoning a dragon! An epic fight resulted as both summoned creatures tore into each other, and both died in the struggle. Not sure on the dragon, might be too much. I'm going to change it to a Phoenix, which seems more characterful, big burning bird. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-17557398964833486342023-04-21T07:32:00.002-07:002023-04-22T01:36:55.100-07:00First Assault on Aderklaa @ Wagram, scenario 4 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>The fourth of our Wagram scenario series, this time the French launch their first assault to take Aderklaa, a small village in the centre of the battlefield that they had held the night before, but Saxon troops withdrew and the Austrians moved in in the morning. Napoleon, furious, wanted it retaken and the task fell to St Cyr’s division (of Massena’s Corps). This game recreates that action, in the morning, of St Cyr’s first attempt.<br /><br />The village is held by troops of von Stutterheim’s advanced guard, which found the village all but empty, including jaegers and the Vincent chevau-leger. Behind them, moving up are Clary’s infantry brigade, two big Austrian infantry regiments. They faced two infantry brigades of St Cyr’s division, with the 24th Light’s three battalions being given the task of the direct assault on the village. They were screened by Marulaz’ light cavalry brigade which became heavily engaged when they spied Austrian guns and boldly tried to take them. It was all chasseurs. <br /><br />Our refight started similarly. The French light cavalry, including their allied German, Baden and Hesse, chevau-leger came forwards and forced the Austria light cavalry to ride out to meet them, whilst behind the Austrians formed up and the guns deployed from limber, and got busy. French artillery took its toll, with a lot of accurate fire, but the Austrians guns were, for once, a match (it seemed both sides could barely miss in the first 3 turns). <br /><br />Meanwhile, the 24th Light Infantry began their advance and the 1st battalion led the charge. They came under skirmish fire and took losses, but still managed a bayonet charge into the village, to find the 4th battalion of the Karl Legion fighting hard and driving the French veterans back. At the end of the turn, Austrian jaeger fire broke that battalion, but 2nd battalion was not far behind to try again. <br /><br />The battle inside Aderklaa resumed with the French forcing a charge home and driving the Karl Legion back, with more heavy skirmish firing, the French were wavering. The Austrians, after a rally counter-charged, but found the French resolve too great and couldn’t kick them out of the buildings. They held, just, and were close to breaking, but survived long enough to claim the ‘Take a Strongpoint’ objective, and rolled a max VP score! <br /><br />The cavalry engagement had also continued, the French charging and driving back the Austrian light cavalry, which withdrew and rallied to come back for a second go, after the Austrian guns and a solid volley left the French cavalry reeling back as well, and also rallying. One chasseur regiment was reduced to a single stand. Austrian guns would continue to punish them. They had though managed four units charging in the turn and claimed their Grand Assault objective, scoring a maximum again! Ouch! In response to the French cavalry raid, the Austrians released their own cavalry to match it, as on the day, and the proud Kronprinz cuirassiers arrived and galloped on to the tabletop, turning the tables in the cavalry duel. The French light cavalry were no match for Austria’s finest! Behind them, a turn later, more cuirassiers and a chevau-leger regiment would arrive and the Austrians could launch their own cavalry counter-attack. So far, the French were ahead on VPs, even though the Austrians claimed their ‘hold the line’ objective, scoring 1 point… good grief! Oh well… <br /><br />The French now saw a chance to complete their third objective, breakthrough enemy lines, and their light cavalry led by the Baden and Hesse chevau-leger galloped around the right of the Austrian lines made for the table edge. At top speed, they didn’t quiet make it though, but surely would next turn. <br /><br />Back on the French table edge their second infantry brigade, Dalesne’s, was deploying, as well as a second small light cavalry brigade, in a wall of blue coats. My own infantry continued their steady (slow) advance up the centre. In the village, the Austrians did push the 24th Light’s 2nd battalion out the buildings in another close melee, and broke them. They routed, leaving only 3rd battalion facing the village, but unwilling to be their third battalion into the grinder here. Austria still held Aderklaa, and the jaegers continued their handy skirmish firing from the buildings. <br /><br />With their good VP rolls for objectives, the French had the lead, but it was not insurmountable. Time for my cavalry to strike back, and they did, due to a useful ‘at the gallop’ special event. The second cuirassier arrived, swung round at the gallop and then immediately charged the Baden and Hesse light cavalry in the flank, with predictable results, the German allies were scattered and utterly routed, right on the Austrian table edge, thus saving them from the ‘breakthrough enemy lines’. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the other cavalry rode on towards the French lines, which had not formed square, but line. Hoping a killing volley, I think not! My prize cuirassiers were in line and at full gallop, scenting blood. If I turned a few battalions here into bloody ruin, then I’d save the day and most likely do enough damage to win. Which would have been nice, until the ‘withering volleys’ special event was played, explaining why the French infantry had formed line not square, 2 full, impeccable battalions loosed muskets into the Kronprinz cuirassiers and it was carnage. After the required rally, only 1 stand of 6 remained… the cream of the Austrian cavalry had just been scythed down in the blink of an eye. Following that a ‘commander wounded’ card saw my commander collapse (I think a heart-attack seeing what had just happened and having to explain to the Kronprinz where his glorious regiment had gone!). That was enough for the Austrian army, broken, with a solid victory for the French. That makes it 3-0 in Battle Victory Points for the campaign so far… <br /><br />A great game, to-and-fro, hard fighting, cavalry and infantry action and the most deadly withering volley I have ever seen (on my best cavalry!). The French had gained 15 VPs from completing objectives, and the difference at the end was 14 VPs, so it made a big impact. Having a big light cavalry brigade really helps complete the Grand Assault… but Marulaz’s chasseurs paid a heavy cost for it, there was not much left of that brigade by the end. <br /><br />Here are some shots of the action at Aderklaa. Game 5 will be the second assault on the village, as the French and Saxons try a gain, an hour later. By then, I’ll have my grenadiers up in defence of the village. <br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NiOxRo2TobMMll8KST1wO5F4__G36jMTWXbK8-ARYoeQ3jM4A6uCwaptorgBNWvhQoj-yAhrKS0mHRUKo2n89rLmhPVyAQZ_6IEuRTy01-SgMnx1nPiqrCLPcgLIOFu4ao2oW1K3VsYf8MA1owNgLBQaYI8G4U67nqDvpfG_-QAIcfyuDvuqQecBWA/s624/IMG_20230415_140909017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NiOxRo2TobMMll8KST1wO5F4__G36jMTWXbK8-ARYoeQ3jM4A6uCwaptorgBNWvhQoj-yAhrKS0mHRUKo2n89rLmhPVyAQZ_6IEuRTy01-SgMnx1nPiqrCLPcgLIOFu4ao2oW1K3VsYf8MA1owNgLBQaYI8G4U67nqDvpfG_-QAIcfyuDvuqQecBWA/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_140909017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrians deploy around Aderklaa, the chevau-leger already taking accurate artillery hits... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5DdQQjZ_2R71lYtLT-eYmP8bgWmuYosaaAd3kMQ-fqGIDNb0uxfWCpjcvp7qZ-D6ss1VSNwQw2z6eQUsTfxCTwqS0Ouej9ze_ZhL5VloVegCZVYyAu2vjgJZO37OHoD5eIJhvYclTUCSr6-n5Kvl7T_Di4fQWr77OV3Aaw6IYSK-1CMutwmUtDsocw/s624/IMG_20230415_125916286.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5DdQQjZ_2R71lYtLT-eYmP8bgWmuYosaaAd3kMQ-fqGIDNb0uxfWCpjcvp7qZ-D6ss1VSNwQw2z6eQUsTfxCTwqS0Ouej9ze_ZhL5VloVegCZVYyAu2vjgJZO37OHoD5eIJhvYclTUCSr6-n5Kvl7T_Di4fQWr77OV3Aaw6IYSK-1CMutwmUtDsocw/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_125916286.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'road' to Aderklaa divides the sides, Marulaz's light cavalry massed in the French centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhgqVk0qy5NYX3N3n2M-MH2sMhRpM4Z9r1CAscxiteMN_bXiAwN_w14ZqGzLlSELn1vr08FFB1hOFKSRygHryBQf5ZfcY9SwwDSjvsnXNo-NJ2EBCe-spL6wNKV-2ideuW6NknWsWEFAJhiRUg-maDt0Ax9WWwZNvAxD7uhJvNZFs3P4rQJN0xjsIXg/s624/IMG_20230415_125849775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhgqVk0qy5NYX3N3n2M-MH2sMhRpM4Z9r1CAscxiteMN_bXiAwN_w14ZqGzLlSELn1vr08FFB1hOFKSRygHryBQf5ZfcY9SwwDSjvsnXNo-NJ2EBCe-spL6wNKV-2ideuW6NknWsWEFAJhiRUg-maDt0Ax9WWwZNvAxD7uhJvNZFs3P4rQJN0xjsIXg/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_125849775.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They start the battle with a swift advance <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRImywRxSWr9tcltGUvRyG25NLxgZpmLi8JZghcRQVzTfzilQJJQUaDNZrAVzQKxCI1zyFu1uI4oiSchpVcrx1hlejHfwBD8ZoHgE0DjM1F6YZmft0sZ4ewodJcc5P3nFLBMk4xB_dyFWee-MNODd1ub4U_NXhBuN6ntPSpi0PniUZ41zIkQkUz1h8Og/s624/IMG_20230415_125836876.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRImywRxSWr9tcltGUvRyG25NLxgZpmLi8JZghcRQVzTfzilQJJQUaDNZrAVzQKxCI1zyFu1uI4oiSchpVcrx1hlejHfwBD8ZoHgE0DjM1F6YZmft0sZ4ewodJcc5P3nFLBMk4xB_dyFWee-MNODd1ub4U_NXhBuN6ntPSpi0PniUZ41zIkQkUz1h8Og/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_125836876.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the waiting Austrian lines, which would punish their boldness...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGArNNhVmCIC_iakX6S9nRFj7di3Euu0YZdJa8Df8DhR2ItUy3CBSCklJ0VH-cyYW82Gul7uNOa7-H_N7Jix-blbW5WWmRdJXjynQjlePvHHoYaTjseaC3swafii2AAkTcaYdoiTCwXo0zJGULXjijiqRvjEjpDXCoagANY-Vl8_eCYlu7rN6SemWwWQ/s624/IMG_20230415_140917176.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGArNNhVmCIC_iakX6S9nRFj7di3Euu0YZdJa8Df8DhR2ItUy3CBSCklJ0VH-cyYW82Gul7uNOa7-H_N7Jix-blbW5WWmRdJXjynQjlePvHHoYaTjseaC3swafii2AAkTcaYdoiTCwXo0zJGULXjijiqRvjEjpDXCoagANY-Vl8_eCYlu7rN6SemWwWQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_140917176.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advance of the 24th Leger towards Aderklaa, held by skirmishers at the moment. Infantry quickly moving in behind. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS30jbg9DnzX6WiX6HLGFGLPcRBC1DbAT1QxkHNbiLpOpBe_syBYJ2_uzKyPReEe0PIfbdfEIwjG86AZXU1CR0EDPTDhT_aV5HqRWYF_bJ-ip_yhSZTGgPI0IOLWNnHGBQzItcL9iZwUQ_VtLztRfFdgGlsWNWpWwYDD8xtEpq7wy6_pynhOX2qK3RAA/s624/IMG_20230415_142759164.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS30jbg9DnzX6WiX6HLGFGLPcRBC1DbAT1QxkHNbiLpOpBe_syBYJ2_uzKyPReEe0PIfbdfEIwjG86AZXU1CR0EDPTDhT_aV5HqRWYF_bJ-ip_yhSZTGgPI0IOLWNnHGBQzItcL9iZwUQ_VtLztRfFdgGlsWNWpWwYDD8xtEpq7wy6_pynhOX2qK3RAA/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_142759164.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grand sight, the massed charge of the light cavalry. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSOEWMestTwFHmNFhattg8bT6MIovzIh253lJwpbmeBr9joQ6z7qo_CHH6hZEy_CSE7hHPaZ-IyFTJLAyoxiBncoGMKBmdYCqxGFjLMMDEJ8b6hzrd_niq-YQPYKlpnmRyc_Xdd_v8H9Hoe-WTIkrjW75dZOGGyzG2ipeI1xQC7hfBm57h6jafvvM_Q/s624/IMG_20230415_142809407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSOEWMestTwFHmNFhattg8bT6MIovzIh253lJwpbmeBr9joQ6z7qo_CHH6hZEy_CSE7hHPaZ-IyFTJLAyoxiBncoGMKBmdYCqxGFjLMMDEJ8b6hzrd_niq-YQPYKlpnmRyc_Xdd_v8H9Hoe-WTIkrjW75dZOGGyzG2ipeI1xQC7hfBm57h6jafvvM_Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_142809407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House to house in Aderklaa, jaegers as ever proving their use in this close fighting. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi8WpfhrTrSRIMu2fvPEhAhdUXvFJl4h5rFdYc1hBO45YdJ2hAC6o1nlan9UtJ1eoktqv8y5ZnpUxuZPsh61OHTTT5m3GHMa47il20m2pNfhcsNm0ZfS4idOJyDJW-kELlBLaAWUZYYUtUBhiKehOP0LLuPCwBwRidLIl3axWgfuFMaPqZp3AL7aeqg/s624/IMG_20230415_144936281.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi8WpfhrTrSRIMu2fvPEhAhdUXvFJl4h5rFdYc1hBO45YdJ2hAC6o1nlan9UtJ1eoktqv8y5ZnpUxuZPsh61OHTTT5m3GHMa47il20m2pNfhcsNm0ZfS4idOJyDJW-kELlBLaAWUZYYUtUBhiKehOP0LLuPCwBwRidLIl3axWgfuFMaPqZp3AL7aeqg/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_144936281.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent chevau-leger in trouble, but putting up a good fight. Need to Rally, soon. Well, now really. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGavqPyjeZaEOPmwZS3Ib3snTj0TL2JmAB8RkTfqKuHNKVByWrb3comkL1gF8S0Lfh5T1S7pUD0cikmUxOWytrV0MuQrtoGJYkzmZCdg7Y7i9u2dWU-nWg_hjzcFS8wFN0WcYSZQCpEi_goONZj0f0c7fDBdPjy9xKbaLIPUPsfNHqu88ehL8wkHl7Q/s624/IMG_20230415_144959775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGavqPyjeZaEOPmwZS3Ib3snTj0TL2JmAB8RkTfqKuHNKVByWrb3comkL1gF8S0Lfh5T1S7pUD0cikmUxOWytrV0MuQrtoGJYkzmZCdg7Y7i9u2dWU-nWg_hjzcFS8wFN0WcYSZQCpEi_goONZj0f0c7fDBdPjy9xKbaLIPUPsfNHqu88ehL8wkHl7Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_144959775.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaegers see-off Voltiguers on the outskirts of the village. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil8EcJX-UpuUMicfcJbNh9zIaS9JHqy5ABo5omHjzAwGlHiOlVHbQtlanZmnevLCrkt0jz6Y78oxayHKAr2ia7DDzNfe3frt38Uug2bjBn8BpneS4uY6za5u6HFLhlb-EljZu3F6JTHuRthHEugOjqHRNV-fRuSFzbdjFJ3uhMlRCZFQAvbeUr1C-JQ/s624/IMG_20230415_151031623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil8EcJX-UpuUMicfcJbNh9zIaS9JHqy5ABo5omHjzAwGlHiOlVHbQtlanZmnevLCrkt0jz6Y78oxayHKAr2ia7DDzNfe3frt38Uug2bjBn8BpneS4uY6za5u6HFLhlb-EljZu3F6JTHuRthHEugOjqHRNV-fRuSFzbdjFJ3uhMlRCZFQAvbeUr1C-JQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_151031623.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd battalion succeed where 1st battalion failed, and get into the buildings. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVztzIpvgqWwoMIWFFPwPwMHvd3FtBZ28f1giU_J6huAz5zonnxIAc7j4etGdxICh3mv6i1GQF_oxWynnEURBvT_3d35sjUv8C3MHaPZuxE5L7ehcq9XZnj2eRcRKERJirAzYxhwMrlUutd2HxVuAstmgIHbJOgu1Rh0MEndIUnmFldzkv5WrMEReVA/s624/IMG_20230415_153957216.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVztzIpvgqWwoMIWFFPwPwMHvd3FtBZ28f1giU_J6huAz5zonnxIAc7j4etGdxICh3mv6i1GQF_oxWynnEURBvT_3d35sjUv8C3MHaPZuxE5L7ehcq9XZnj2eRcRKERJirAzYxhwMrlUutd2HxVuAstmgIHbJOgu1Rh0MEndIUnmFldzkv5WrMEReVA/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_153957216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalesme's brigade match on from reserve, a lot of Frenchmen. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqKTPAVQ_vbjyupr5R35yWvfMEnUm6HeMhSG_9xw7pGKfNF0C7jMFIQI-0z6z9SWImp6H_Q51Nj7gm7amTuFfSZfzr5P3nSxDM8kR-YW29zlEBKLtNUqEp2LyJUmsQiV-0-W82LfnkntoIUuitllGhHxwkqACam23ex5pf0jkWfkcFFXsmJ8VZxueJQ/s624/IMG_20230415_160355475.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqKTPAVQ_vbjyupr5R35yWvfMEnUm6HeMhSG_9xw7pGKfNF0C7jMFIQI-0z6z9SWImp6H_Q51Nj7gm7amTuFfSZfzr5P3nSxDM8kR-YW29zlEBKLtNUqEp2LyJUmsQiV-0-W82LfnkntoIUuitllGhHxwkqACam23ex5pf0jkWfkcFFXsmJ8VZxueJQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_160355475.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German light cavalry make an end-run for the table edge and almost make it. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL8uldc6tJZ-L8RFnv025NUoTgo6BQxPPv2Ps7wiwevAa0rd41uMpbdsiFebk0aku1LRxOAG3dqvXfHdBI8QkjWCvzed8Fgab2SLTW9U1dr1btlm5fI0tDgny_edxupPLWhFG7JT0FTq5DuL2laE0bPE14xD_kGNKtF77nN8Gr5_A1x6DauuXFqiFgA/s624/IMG_20230415_161941269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL8uldc6tJZ-L8RFnv025NUoTgo6BQxPPv2Ps7wiwevAa0rd41uMpbdsiFebk0aku1LRxOAG3dqvXfHdBI8QkjWCvzed8Fgab2SLTW9U1dr1btlm5fI0tDgny_edxupPLWhFG7JT0FTq5DuL2laE0bPE14xD_kGNKtF77nN8Gr5_A1x6DauuXFqiFgA/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_161941269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But, out of nowhere come the Austrian cuirassiers, at the gallop, and rout them off the table edge. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKuBFMQeNg1XGb0sPdFyBfn1wD0sEuxifJBqz9amwlLRQjQobyFyzjyz8v83IyFrNUt5RDH-ZJz3HaDtoODiTzpbBNSwKOYS0uJyb2PbKirKpoVLuxdUxjqoBi9N2coPboEqYtLJDm1hkK_eW5AHLi91wk8099RHb7-qvxhwWPMpzR--yt24asM0GSg/s624/IMG_20230415_162711431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKuBFMQeNg1XGb0sPdFyBfn1wD0sEuxifJBqz9amwlLRQjQobyFyzjyz8v83IyFrNUt5RDH-ZJz3HaDtoODiTzpbBNSwKOYS0uJyb2PbKirKpoVLuxdUxjqoBi9N2coPboEqYtLJDm1hkK_eW5AHLi91wk8099RHb7-qvxhwWPMpzR--yt24asM0GSg/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_162711431.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian cavalry counter-attack moves up and forms line, ready for the charge to crush the French infantry and win the day... except....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJQ2lEpGv0FeY5iJbQK5ZgCPj6oTheyvSZZdm5FbzmtbYJWsVJ5BWfsgNT3WDAbfy-NpzI1PtcIAKPrnyoDkbzcPKPU2q55Eq-MGIcpswyrr2H5zA8AUt9ARxg8f9vcgJPgMzsKRWv7pWJAPbRhvk3OdgXS7w1DhqNthZ1qZ2Y9BSSKz4vZkd-iPTZg/s624/IMG_20230415_170213880.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJQ2lEpGv0FeY5iJbQK5ZgCPj6oTheyvSZZdm5FbzmtbYJWsVJ5BWfsgNT3WDAbfy-NpzI1PtcIAKPrnyoDkbzcPKPU2q55Eq-MGIcpswyrr2H5zA8AUt9ARxg8f9vcgJPgMzsKRWv7pWJAPbRhvk3OdgXS7w1DhqNthZ1qZ2Y9BSSKz4vZkd-iPTZg/w400-h300/IMG_20230415_170213880.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian infantry centre is still strong, but the loss of their cavalry and their commander sees them fall back. French score the win... </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-4985163583122357852023-03-30T14:52:00.000-07:002023-03-30T14:52:09.584-07:00Dawn Attack at Grosshofen @ Wagram – scenario 3 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>At dawn on July 6th Rosenburg’s Corps of the Austrian Hauptarmee launched an attack (it was supposed to be part of a general offensive). In command confusion and due to late orders, the others Austrian Corps failed to get going, so Rosenberg’s columns attacked alone. This scenario is for one of those columns attacking at the French held village of Grosshofen, near Marksgrafneusiedl, held by men of Davout’s Corps – Puthod’s division. The Austrian objective is the capture the village and drive the French lines back, the French are just holding the line here, but (scenario special rule) the Austrians will be recalled from the attack after a random number of turns, so to win it, there is time pressure on the attacker otherwise, it peters out into a draw as the Austrians withdraw… (as happened on the day).<br /><br />My force was the advanced guard and a large (huge and unwieldy) infantry brigade following on. The French had two ‘medium’-sized infantry brigades, one on the left and one on the right, holding the village itself. With the Austrians holding the initiative, we dealt our first hand of action cards and got stuck-in.</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-21Dtrz2A6od1_7h2wRpU-OcUSENJo-HZZeRt79Ax7dY_YYnoVr608BXZvCQjT25JjTKlbjICMyHfqE-v3H29iqR60Ri56b_oUSUmguPgt-vYf-SYI7m0STA0r--R6M7Zk3tfa9AaLUI0dbUFyPDWpV-unyOI_s6R2hjb93UNDSmpRLjEgO1OieOX-g/s624/IMG_20230328_185719641_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-21Dtrz2A6od1_7h2wRpU-OcUSENJo-HZZeRt79Ax7dY_YYnoVr608BXZvCQjT25JjTKlbjICMyHfqE-v3H29iqR60Ri56b_oUSUmguPgt-vYf-SYI7m0STA0r--R6M7Zk3tfa9AaLUI0dbUFyPDWpV-unyOI_s6R2hjb93UNDSmpRLjEgO1OieOX-g/w400-h300/IMG_20230328_185719641_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grosshofen. Austrians attacking from the top, where the Russbach stream just curves onto the tabletop. The rest is flat farm fields. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvPAaS9HZgbqUWm58WUvGkR4FmJ-Jo7eIWk_CibFyC5lrlY8isp-ZUVYQb4N3OMoU2ugSzVRB64KfdXkouBM-swRAqQwKdy2alIS0hT4R5H4d-xAV-sHIS8AUjNWidF9N0l3kIrd57JDV2ygrLImWOmd7eFRqNryZq9QzmAQbLjUl_nblZA1g-Kf4nQ/s624/IMG_20230328_185746945_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvPAaS9HZgbqUWm58WUvGkR4FmJ-Jo7eIWk_CibFyC5lrlY8isp-ZUVYQb4N3OMoU2ugSzVRB64KfdXkouBM-swRAqQwKdy2alIS0hT4R5H4d-xAV-sHIS8AUjNWidF9N0l3kIrd57JDV2ygrLImWOmd7eFRqNryZq9QzmAQbLjUl_nblZA1g-Kf4nQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230328_185746945_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian deployment zones, Advanced Guard at the front (obvs), infantry brigade behind. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>First up, my divisional commander, General Radetsky on the day, must have had a bad bratwurst for breakfast, as he was taken ill and left the field on a ‘Commander Wounded’ event. Damn, that left me an action card down, but I sent an instant message to fetch General Rosenberg to the field to replace him with a ‘Senior Officer Arrives’ event, and unfortunate rolled badly and he didn’t show either (maybe he had the bratwurst for breakfast too!). Drat! Bad start, but my infantry moved up, as did the Ferdinand Hussars of the advanced guard on my far right. The French had no cavalry to match them so formed square and targeted them with accurate cannon fire. Still, they rode on through the smoke and shell across the cornfield towards the enemy lines. The French deployed a lot, mostly all, their voltiguers to form a thick skirmish screen ahead of their lines, across the entire board. That forced my infantry to do likewise, although the advanced guard had the 4th Moravian Volunteer Jaegers to do that work, and they closed in on the village first, infantry assault columns behind to follow-up in a push to clear the houses of Grosshofen, which were thick with blue-coated infantry.<br /><br />Cannons roared and the disruption mounted, especially in Grosshofen, until a handy ‘Stand Fast’ event saw the reserve infantry inside rally. The first turn ended with a draw in VPs. <br /><br />Next turn, by good luck, I held a ‘Fierce Cavalry Charge’ card, allowing my hussars to have a crack at a French square. In true hussar spirit they launched themselves at the square and won the melee, driving the French back and almost taking their banner (almost!). They rallied, but then a ‘Wavering’ event saw them break, the officer's efforts to regroup the now mob failing. In return, the French artillery gave the hussars a whiff of grapeshot, twice, and they wheeled away to rally and regroup, leaving dead men and horses behind. Bloodied, but they’d be back! <br /><br />The battle around Grosshofen was full of skirmishers, my jaegers with their rifles doing excellent work and the French largely missing! I knew I couldn’t hang around, but had to pause to rally as the artillery fire was hurting my infantry, and I had to drag my out-ranged 6 pdr guns forwards. This all took cards, and I was still low on them. It was not the swift strike I hoped for. Oh, and Napoleon arrived to have a look over General Puthod’s lines… and all seemed well enough to the Emperor, and he rode off. <br /><br />Turn 3, and still the withdraw order hadn’t reached the Austrians (quite who they’d tell I have no idea as Radetsky was still up-chucking in a bush). The French rushed a reinforcing reserve battalion into the village, as my jaegers continued a galling rifle fire on the defenders, and my assault column was ordered it, which they refused. Argh! On well, I was at least winning the skirmish fight. My hussars turned about and came back for those guns, charging them and taking revenge for the earlier canister fire, the gunners were cut down or running for their lives, but more skirmish fire again meant I needed to rally them, and lose another stand, leaving just 3 stands of my excellent cavalry left (from 7 to start with). Their fight was done and they withdrew, horses blown, but it had been good work from the Ferdinand hussars on the far right flank. In Grosshofen, one defending French battalion broke and ran after, saving their last rally card, they lost it to a 'command confusion' event… wait too long at your peril! Accurate return artillery fire did break one of my infantry battalion columns. The French scored well in VPs, but the Austrians were still just ahead, thanks to the hussars heroic efforts. Could I get into the village and claim my ‘Take a Strongpoint’ objective. Time was running out. The expected order to withdraw received, I had 1 more turn to break the French or call it a day and take the draw. <br /><br />So, it was all in at Grosshofen, but my infantry column again refuse to charge, so my jaegers went in and claimed the empty first building – now to fight off the counter-attack as the French reservist piled through the streets and unleashed a ragged volley, to no effect! Phew! My return fire was again good, skirmishing jaegers are excellent at this work! Over on the right, there had been an exchange of skirmish fire and artillery and I now tried to close for the charge. But twice my columns refused to charge and volley fired instead – 4 failed attempts on the trot, argh, no aggressive spirit in these troops! The French then tried to counter charge and also failed, but the resulting volley did break one of my columns. We were down to the last card play each, I used ‘wavering’ again on his disordered column, but rolled a 1, the column did not break this time. He played ‘artillery bombards’ and suddenly shells hammered my poor retreating hussars, scoring enough hits to break them. That was it. Game over. <br /><br />We added up the VPs. The Austrians had taken a 'strongpoint' and gained the maximum 6 VPs, which left the French 2 from breaking. In return, the Austrians were broken though, the costly loss of the hussars had cost us 5 VPs and so the French VP total was 22, over the Austrian Break Point of 20… time to give up on Grosshofen. Another marginal French win then, and again 0 Campaign VPs for that, so after three scenario it is still, remarkably 0-0. Maybe in scenario 4 (which will be the French’s first assault on Aderklaa, a mighty scrap in the centre), someone will actually gain some VPs towards winning this day's battle. <br /><br />Quick game this one. Only 2 brigades aside, 4 turns and 2.5 hours of playing. Fun 2.5 hours though… if only my hussars had survived… damn those French gunners (they are usually alarmingly accurate). My own artillery was utter rubbish this game, barely hit a thing… on to Aderklaa in a few weeks. <br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8LFUnzxSZpltVIOSWsFhYxRprOv9ljtpxGBFUaPSg2Xemup2X3fsZCalBrLJvmg7ZaqIW99GQOPKLQE1mT1tKasCgWtVIG51_8vlpt8voVd7gj-mh429FYXEH1pT6t43SC9URe1cfZNHcRndHYHqnaomLtC5Aegx1H8VYAJEoD24PNs-67i6izpF-w/s624/IMG_20230329_102426099_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8LFUnzxSZpltVIOSWsFhYxRprOv9ljtpxGBFUaPSg2Xemup2X3fsZCalBrLJvmg7ZaqIW99GQOPKLQE1mT1tKasCgWtVIG51_8vlpt8voVd7gj-mh429FYXEH1pT6t43SC9URe1cfZNHcRndHYHqnaomLtC5Aegx1H8VYAJEoD24PNs-67i6izpF-w/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_102426099_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrians deployed in attack columns, ready to begin...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jF3f2QBlSQTfxKFSeproOE8xz6t48QbThy3JludaMOVDVXlhcNGCRvkzqXVdZXS1KItHCFTYCdy255f8fSAsPLidVA7-Zjgfu7lEOhob2ttfjOZ7Ua2lQy1wd9w672f4lHZEV9C5GFQSrSVfUFxpwsPIH8wndgZ2lEEiRj1c6OI63oHjeT5Ap7m8ig/s624/IMG_20230329_102930584_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jF3f2QBlSQTfxKFSeproOE8xz6t48QbThy3JludaMOVDVXlhcNGCRvkzqXVdZXS1KItHCFTYCdy255f8fSAsPLidVA7-Zjgfu7lEOhob2ttfjOZ7Ua2lQy1wd9w672f4lHZEV9C5GFQSrSVfUFxpwsPIH8wndgZ2lEEiRj1c6OI63oHjeT5Ap7m8ig/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_102930584_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French lines deployed to hold Grosshofen. Gunners are ready, with their usual horrible accuracy. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8OW81Bx8WaP53nUE2Iyd93MJBbITSTs4-7F35TLdgL_lb2v8GxfQMKnbgSsPk2p-SDPQSRFlWsgQBHYzoktThVkiunILs1YgigPHLjhYSDtlf1B1TPn7KPa7bmz1a0sbvTuFO-tIIv3kw-kqYw-nemVwyqEIRph4MntsQJ22u1x71DRXEb4DBeg6Ig/s624/IMG_20230329_105844280_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8OW81Bx8WaP53nUE2Iyd93MJBbITSTs4-7F35TLdgL_lb2v8GxfQMKnbgSsPk2p-SDPQSRFlWsgQBHYzoktThVkiunILs1YgigPHLjhYSDtlf1B1TPn7KPa7bmz1a0sbvTuFO-tIIv3kw-kqYw-nemVwyqEIRph4MntsQJ22u1x71DRXEb4DBeg6Ig/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_105844280_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of voltiguers deployed to harass the Austria advance. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-icKB0ipfl20VWyKCadraBiRhD6OPDgt6ZzzCZ8dekGBo_DfYsHjI8XaTZ5z1WdjyVkPFFG_N1pdnqeJnXCEwm-uTwe3wxniMKcF3oQUQIMPPjze4Kn9LBp93oIMpEz5Hmx7xP8e3_59eY3QeNRniQgMUJsz42B9M1lCdmDPlnpWQNVNQ8jYwI-g3w/s624/IMG_20230329_105831605_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-icKB0ipfl20VWyKCadraBiRhD6OPDgt6ZzzCZ8dekGBo_DfYsHjI8XaTZ5z1WdjyVkPFFG_N1pdnqeJnXCEwm-uTwe3wxniMKcF3oQUQIMPPjze4Kn9LBp93oIMpEz5Hmx7xP8e3_59eY3QeNRniQgMUJsz42B9M1lCdmDPlnpWQNVNQ8jYwI-g3w/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_105831605_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ferdinand Hussars after their fierce charge, and shattering a square! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim74UFppJm3dUwtIKknP-ImqaO7FV82JoxfskKh2FKcZdHbImNqM0xeLpYMYybiJBb65cLRXnk8msbYYBdC_1DgEixY-T_IQpwZSsnnaJlHzTXhugV0OIzOP6Rm01EzYRzh_h1cf7hXjnADyd9K_I9hPi-Tu3zpJTreBDLriRQCNpvcs9rRSa-pFM_oQ/s624/IMG_20230329_102941928_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim74UFppJm3dUwtIKknP-ImqaO7FV82JoxfskKh2FKcZdHbImNqM0xeLpYMYybiJBb65cLRXnk8msbYYBdC_1DgEixY-T_IQpwZSsnnaJlHzTXhugV0OIzOP6Rm01EzYRzh_h1cf7hXjnADyd9K_I9hPi-Tu3zpJTreBDLriRQCNpvcs9rRSa-pFM_oQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_102941928_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reserve French battalion marching into Grosshofen. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX1ddOk8EKLwsb2tK6vFZMZtx0KewtI1usgyx9TyqOvRThEW_-RYGlbSij1IGl2Qgnadcq7gdyc8NUg2AQXic8AErEToKheruTaF4LwsLXtkTWYwkLo2erUivlDTLgTSYYezox7cZum7TJQpbS2_doPbqAr045_6ymlmXWbxMaiuR_Pf8IlPonLp-Ug/s624/IMG_20230329_110107295_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX1ddOk8EKLwsb2tK6vFZMZtx0KewtI1usgyx9TyqOvRThEW_-RYGlbSij1IGl2Qgnadcq7gdyc8NUg2AQXic8AErEToKheruTaF4LwsLXtkTWYwkLo2erUivlDTLgTSYYezox7cZum7TJQpbS2_doPbqAr045_6ymlmXWbxMaiuR_Pf8IlPonLp-Ug/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_110107295_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonjour L'Empereur... the biggest boss came to check-up that the line was holding, no need to send in the Imperial Guard here... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MQiDQ73xYmhvB_eJusTaDSM5LEhKsEYfH9gublN-G-Tf3M7KieVitCHxLugrKOCV5FEDacvsV7L8e1ewifTpIXv1WLbc0sm1Q0lGY0ayocv04fVgWsvkgfNEg_43fhjhKR16W0ENmaLbitYULPlcBcp7SmoTTdkLswhFMa2_yfWLlqyLVi8zCIr_bA/s624/IMG_20230329_115321379_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MQiDQ73xYmhvB_eJusTaDSM5LEhKsEYfH9gublN-G-Tf3M7KieVitCHxLugrKOCV5FEDacvsV7L8e1ewifTpIXv1WLbc0sm1Q0lGY0ayocv04fVgWsvkgfNEg_43fhjhKR16W0ENmaLbitYULPlcBcp7SmoTTdkLswhFMa2_yfWLlqyLVi8zCIr_bA/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_115321379_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian columns come on, in a very French sort of way... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K-sI3MPN4HUAkmHtEF3AjKYB4mJ-gzMNdV4AG9vVM5D9gNLxmY_HEnPwQomPfK65MjMv2xd_uNW2J-QZ8XEexEkAdva3FLxDTacNO23vgefO7jknUTjfp-HpQdfrvMgx9svjo_OBHULAmwT7hvixgULwkV_vGStYzI-TAdV0iqZeOWN_d1Yf3yOMDw/s624/IMG_20230329_115336513_PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K-sI3MPN4HUAkmHtEF3AjKYB4mJ-gzMNdV4AG9vVM5D9gNLxmY_HEnPwQomPfK65MjMv2xd_uNW2J-QZ8XEexEkAdva3FLxDTacNO23vgefO7jknUTjfp-HpQdfrvMgx9svjo_OBHULAmwT7hvixgULwkV_vGStYzI-TAdV0iqZeOWN_d1Yf3yOMDw/w400-h300/IMG_20230329_115336513_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moravian Jaegers skirmish and volley into Grosshofen, before dash for the first cottages. Infantry column behind, the refuseniks... leave it to the jaegers then boys!... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-79519044150546318852023-03-23T08:45:00.001-07:002023-03-23T23:54:12.873-07:00 Dupas' Division Attacks @ Wagram, scenario 2 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>Game 2, and still the evening of July 5th, this time General Dupas’ division (Bernadotte’s Corps) launches itself across the Russbach stream and up the Wagram, mainly at the defending (and large) Argenteau Regiment of Austrian regulars, with some aid from von Stutterheim’s brigade of jaegers, landwehr and the some attached chevau-leger. The French/Saxon objective was to force the Austrians back and secure a foothold on the high ground, using the ‘Grand Assault’ and ‘Take the High Ground’ battlefield objectives, whilst my Austrians just had to ‘Hold the Line’.<br /><br />After deployment, the battle began with the French/Saxon brigade on their left crossing the Russbach and shelling the crest of the Wagram slope, as my guns returned fire down onto the French. The crest would become a hot-spot killing-zone, but I had a plan to minimize French artillery by pulling back from it (after doing some damage) and inviting the French up the slope to fight me there, out of cannon support. I’d pull back my guns and so hopefully get the upper hand in that firefight. This worked, sort of too well, as a handy withering volleys special event sent the first French and Saxon grenadier battalion, coming up the slope, tumbling back down in utter chaos. They stalled to rally and regroup, and I pulled back, leaving his cannons (unable to cross the Russbach stream) with no targets. <br /><br />On the French right, the 19th Line’s three battalions didn’t make much progress. Harassed by accurate jaeger skirmish fire and then the Austrian chevau-leger coming forwards, two battalions formed square and thus, any attack here just halted. French guns did take their toll though, and after a lucky (unlucky for me) bombardment my jaegers broke and ran… grr! Still, I had my revenge when the Saxon grenadiers on the opposite flank also broke. It was even in VPs so far.<br /><br />Thus far it had been an all infantry fight, and the Austrians were doing just fine against some good French infantry. Skirmish fire harassed me, but the Argenteau were standing strong, muskets primed for when the French/Saxons next appeared on the crest. This they did, and another good volley saw the Saxons retreating as well, leaving their dead behind. <br /><br />After four turns the game changed. Reserved arrived. My light cavalry rode in, the Hessen-Homberg Hussars and some more chevau-leger. Seeing this, Bernadotte (as he did on the day) released Sahuc’s light cavalry brigade to meet them. True to the day, the two light cavalry brigades would meet in a swirling melee. The French first made good use of a ‘well-drilled’ special event to gallop forwards at top speed and deploy into line on my side of the stream - slick. My hussars spurred in, sabres out, and charged, to be counter-charged, and the following melee was close, but a narrow Austrian win (hussar! literally). The cavalry would reengage next turn, after a swift rally each, both using command points to re-roll and form back into good orderly lines. So far, I had nudged ahead in VPs and the French were looking worried. They had 1 turn to complete the ‘Grand Assault’ objective or give me the extra VPs, which might be enough to win it. Nothing for it but to attack, despite the odds. His battered cavalry charged again, all 3 chasseurs regiments, but he needed a fourth charge as well. His light infantry, bloodied after their first attempt, tried up the Wagram again, took another scything volley, but charged. They need a 6 to cover the distance, chances where they would fall short… no, a 6! “Vive L’Empereur!’ They French came in, bayonets lowered, but lost the melee anyway. As did his light cavalry, as my hussar counter-charged and drove them back again (heroics from usually useless hussars), breaking one regiment. It was very close as we added up VPs. I had won 2 melees, and routed his chasseurs. But he had completed the Grand Assault objectives (at a cost) and rolled a 6 for VPs, gaining 6. Ouch! That just broke the Austrians as the Argenteau and the cavalry pulled back. The French had 1 morale point left before breaking themselves, so close, so close. The French had saved the day, by sheer desperation (and rolling 2 6s). <br /><br />Another marginal French win in the campaign then. Again, given the scheme of the battle, it would avail the French nought for tomorrow’s fighting, so was worth 0 VPs for the campaign – just a waste of men and horses really. <br /><br />That concludes the fighting on the evening of July 5th, after 2 games it is still 0-0 on VPs. All t play for on July 6th. In game 3, the Austrians launch their own dawn attack at Grosshofen on July 6th. We play that next week. <br /></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA56cpNqVIuDpUyQSZgzPccmjd66q5ZDaslILuFyPD28JjM2eS0wkhIHwcE7nLpMjWkkoT4HUdeuPJehoefQhoeJmkhwQNXmgy5umiJVk3Uy2fAndC7LzCi8fKEsIv7uPhMDcQyvDcCSWV_nVEDn6VJroaUcaRXtoiM8WOC-XXD3CZMDcjXI5DHMTpA/s624/IMG_20230315_104736183.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA56cpNqVIuDpUyQSZgzPccmjd66q5ZDaslILuFyPD28JjM2eS0wkhIHwcE7nLpMjWkkoT4HUdeuPJehoefQhoeJmkhwQNXmgy5umiJVk3Uy2fAndC7LzCi8fKEsIv7uPhMDcQyvDcCSWV_nVEDn6VJroaUcaRXtoiM8WOC-XXD3CZMDcjXI5DHMTpA/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_104736183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French light infantry and two Saxon battalions cross the Russbach<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAWxm95WnkFJTfcBgzb6TrlhDUvTZM2jevX9B73ZA4sDYjUaDU2rrQ9Nq7O0HFzJB2Q4TLMMnVQO8xuBUjQTbIvbJPiRRoolyLp-5nJ-1n_jUVodg_WiUR7I45-IsuOSPEZO2jkpJ6UofgX1RCypH-b76EIq3b6Syly8QLxl3ffVXRQpXF-dobo3Biw/s624/IMG_20230315_104725844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAWxm95WnkFJTfcBgzb6TrlhDUvTZM2jevX9B73ZA4sDYjUaDU2rrQ9Nq7O0HFzJB2Q4TLMMnVQO8xuBUjQTbIvbJPiRRoolyLp-5nJ-1n_jUVodg_WiUR7I45-IsuOSPEZO2jkpJ6UofgX1RCypH-b76EIq3b6Syly8QLxl3ffVXRQpXF-dobo3Biw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_104725844.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 19th Ligne also cross the stream. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ouPmcsbI9MHdB0cNGnbWXESAaJxKkG87CgEtu1lUd90yuY0nCIlccIVS10oP-3Un2QziyIhTSAHUrgCO0UnrnTorLEL7WGXI_jKo5FXml-zMbXdsn-s-QQ7ai2BVQ_Ljivb1c6p-C7Ce6eJi8NFvralWNdnX3BfXAJBSwZxJ6PsLnrO60dIkL-2bBw/s624/IMG_20230315_104718344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ouPmcsbI9MHdB0cNGnbWXESAaJxKkG87CgEtu1lUd90yuY0nCIlccIVS10oP-3Un2QziyIhTSAHUrgCO0UnrnTorLEL7WGXI_jKo5FXml-zMbXdsn-s-QQ7ai2BVQ_Ljivb1c6p-C7Ce6eJi8NFvralWNdnX3BfXAJBSwZxJ6PsLnrO60dIkL-2bBw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_104718344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">von Stutterheim's small brigade, the landwehr hanging back as the jaegers do the early fighting, and pay for it after an 'artillery bombards' event. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbDk0TdjSmty8TVVIiHcJfzVhopeRxwPTdQg5m5j7Ey5Z1P935jX1L7rgKJthBJHSENhnE0KM5aCEbBF-AbMTGk7-lw-opJp9FtfrtNmrczqhoo4wz3pTspGN28Imv7GgqFm9uIT7ej1528Aq46YcZO2BuQd8PfCyGnWACmxnurzQ9ceSjzbGBvkabw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_104708659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mighty Argenteau regiment's lines await the French arrival. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbDk0TdjSmty8TVVIiHcJfzVhopeRxwPTdQg5m5j7Ey5Z1P935jX1L7rgKJthBJHSENhnE0KM5aCEbBF-AbMTGk7-lw-opJp9FtfrtNmrczqhoo4wz3pTspGN28Imv7GgqFm9uIT7ej1528Aq46YcZO2BuQd8PfCyGnWACmxnurzQ9ceSjzbGBvkabw/s624/IMG_20230315_104708659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> <br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvKz68zrOoc4hcVVxj1-Gl2hyymog1apXuReSjgaoHWX_DPJhF6nWtWhYv4X8v6OXY8QJXzPyu0B52ynVLEKsCzXbHn9Qzeiii8XXEr64qmep2I3IWwBvY7jjNrZv5GKpSRI1QJPnLlxDxAANJWLPQ7ZjCdoXIymIQdCfcpTajIm1a06ktG2cCxmfZw/s624/IMG_20230315_112755746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvKz68zrOoc4hcVVxj1-Gl2hyymog1apXuReSjgaoHWX_DPJhF6nWtWhYv4X8v6OXY8QJXzPyu0B52ynVLEKsCzXbHn9Qzeiii8XXEr64qmep2I3IWwBvY7jjNrZv5GKpSRI1QJPnLlxDxAANJWLPQ7ZjCdoXIymIQdCfcpTajIm1a06ktG2cCxmfZw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_112755746.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here they are, skirmishers out! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzM73pXN8xHfgEnY_fEnpBIVmtaCjaRYY0n0p8hG4CCdYLZclkQauW02-J2Xj4ai_0SbbJLoZNZ54htmW7WLwlNuhyqbHjt_N6YD9w-vFLdf9BqbC09_TZZqbUE1AgvV5aYHGer8PRI9WHcJahiHsyagkwdaA32m8ywxKJlTcsYwWHznfHCtPT7KyFw/s624/IMG_20230315_112802537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzM73pXN8xHfgEnY_fEnpBIVmtaCjaRYY0n0p8hG4CCdYLZclkQauW02-J2Xj4ai_0SbbJLoZNZ54htmW7WLwlNuhyqbHjt_N6YD9w-vFLdf9BqbC09_TZZqbUE1AgvV5aYHGer8PRI9WHcJahiHsyagkwdaA32m8ywxKJlTcsYwWHznfHCtPT7KyFw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_112802537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling back the gun battery (and ammo caisson) from the crest, to present no target. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lKmMommhcWVbg3bZB3jAKkvDe4d0m4BMjvuIVIRGmql4ViQCvd4e9R_fciy0xmG31i-NHvVwt2s8G524fkojOG-6WNwjaGi-kizdgjw57bfNnhiy7DkrvTV7IQcgd-FyzB-ODm6jXSW5DWUdN1bR6zA8nt50Hr6YQgzkKtpHqCkHDC_0rclLJ8kjYw/s624/IMG_20230315_112815293.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lKmMommhcWVbg3bZB3jAKkvDe4d0m4BMjvuIVIRGmql4ViQCvd4e9R_fciy0xmG31i-NHvVwt2s8G524fkojOG-6WNwjaGi-kizdgjw57bfNnhiy7DkrvTV7IQcgd-FyzB-ODm6jXSW5DWUdN1bR6zA8nt50Hr6YQgzkKtpHqCkHDC_0rclLJ8kjYw/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_112815293.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French form square, wary after the beating they took in game 1 from the chevau-leger. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YEn1pZ7PMIpy64DWueB9RVqChQ9nOGCCfITM-TAOwjXLQ9fE_XlH2sS4t7xo4X9GK-UIOXqfAFV0mhqu_lpc-apxB_JWUVJv3Qes4g8-4fQ65I5GLlCosuju5R8GJHzpNyaKPvveqeif_veu1rbX0KgFgQeS9aOxSEK2yirqPav2JInkCXH_8pzVyA/s624/IMG_20230315_115522166.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YEn1pZ7PMIpy64DWueB9RVqChQ9nOGCCfITM-TAOwjXLQ9fE_XlH2sS4t7xo4X9GK-UIOXqfAFV0mhqu_lpc-apxB_JWUVJv3Qes4g8-4fQ65I5GLlCosuju5R8GJHzpNyaKPvveqeif_veu1rbX0KgFgQeS9aOxSEK2yirqPav2JInkCXH_8pzVyA/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_115522166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guns unlimber as the regiment's 3rd battalion arrive. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ICMpZUlg7RRBMCKezR4y6rnX69PfAUsBz6y1Q__bJJMcIdDR_REJo9Hktcte60fztwXDS9eUap1vPJrv97aDhjero1EiRmOwjs9TVfAupQqO_c_qndYtcRffiNvcACdq9M5UrcaHE488HcKFabxHCPshwjST7R7BTdBgTMn2qfRdWmTwzOeOhTVLRg/s624/IMG_20230315_115536525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ICMpZUlg7RRBMCKezR4y6rnX69PfAUsBz6y1Q__bJJMcIdDR_REJo9Hktcte60fztwXDS9eUap1vPJrv97aDhjero1EiRmOwjs9TVfAupQqO_c_qndYtcRffiNvcACdq9M5UrcaHE488HcKFabxHCPshwjST7R7BTdBgTMn2qfRdWmTwzOeOhTVLRg/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_115536525.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chevau-leger chase off a few French skirmishers in the stalemate on the French right. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpQbIq5Hiq3M3wNlN8rm2petjuvzsOGiVgtQP3PRvmxilYLO6H6JCarIUCdHouQinTeDoC6r3q-H0mELsk8ACl8oh7Go2BadsX1XA_YmmNGir8xhPux8fq9uAe-iL0JLXEGwS8Yn4nUBuxuPxWh5mvPCAzjeI_3fJA72Wr80wgYCwZQf_zcywk368Q/s624/IMG_20230315_122033879.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpQbIq5Hiq3M3wNlN8rm2petjuvzsOGiVgtQP3PRvmxilYLO6H6JCarIUCdHouQinTeDoC6r3q-H0mELsk8ACl8oh7Go2BadsX1XA_YmmNGir8xhPux8fq9uAe-iL0JLXEGwS8Yn4nUBuxuPxWh5mvPCAzjeI_3fJA72Wr80wgYCwZQf_zcywk368Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_122033879.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hessen-Homburg hussars gallop in. Go the Hussar!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRz1o8tiOOy9U06rJNlHIEtULuo_1E_yDBwqQMrVpb-NKEZLuDNx7N8rQD317vH646_wXqIz7OS6j44Ex1Q_teFzWFrP4QyEOQR4edUJ99uVeLtPWCSrsDVxSS3nwObxDWzLfbCXCnnVt268RlfaVUeAsp4EFgYEVmgfXn3I_qLLiB0KX8Au1sDapww/s624/IMG_20230315_122717575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRz1o8tiOOy9U06rJNlHIEtULuo_1E_yDBwqQMrVpb-NKEZLuDNx7N8rQD317vH646_wXqIz7OS6j44Ex1Q_teFzWFrP4QyEOQR4edUJ99uVeLtPWCSrsDVxSS3nwObxDWzLfbCXCnnVt268RlfaVUeAsp4EFgYEVmgfXn3I_qLLiB0KX8Au1sDapww/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_122717575.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasseurs deploy into line, swift and disciplined, as the light cavalry close in on each other in the centre. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_1jx44zq9QKUR_lclwSjY-c-bqh9SmOoFEmjGKpZHJFsODeYX7XN7EzbANnTPhWP4ETLpBR0EEDBNrkBa3NqrpSkF1RLZw9uYOtRadU7E37Ls-CQfgq30eReRGc-PrMnlUyYETUHYlzq6MGFoFpVwBOxXZUS4K-todpFSjcEoUJLD0MierhyBAZR2w/s624/IMG_20230315_123604772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_1jx44zq9QKUR_lclwSjY-c-bqh9SmOoFEmjGKpZHJFsODeYX7XN7EzbANnTPhWP4ETLpBR0EEDBNrkBa3NqrpSkF1RLZw9uYOtRadU7E37Ls-CQfgq30eReRGc-PrMnlUyYETUHYlzq6MGFoFpVwBOxXZUS4K-todpFSjcEoUJLD0MierhyBAZR2w/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_123604772.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charge!! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs-qvfQ4LA-aBYYnzJDlpNNUfzzLOkGm_owPQWWEydSn3OOhCyZfaLXzvMgn2MlPeKCN2-r2H3oqHf8xSTUvH3y2dz-3JYKT_OD_tKdsDSNJuf9IihEUWjCKqCJzUrUCSZorRHDF2yRY4wgYx__SLtyoxuotej4rFUR3OaXHQ6A28Fg_hBOHYZhicFg/s624/IMG_20230315_124659242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs-qvfQ4LA-aBYYnzJDlpNNUfzzLOkGm_owPQWWEydSn3OOhCyZfaLXzvMgn2MlPeKCN2-r2H3oqHf8xSTUvH3y2dz-3JYKT_OD_tKdsDSNJuf9IihEUWjCKqCJzUrUCSZorRHDF2yRY4wgYx__SLtyoxuotej4rFUR3OaXHQ6A28Fg_hBOHYZhicFg/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_124659242.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cavalry action in the swirling melee, chevau-leger meet chasseurs. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmz9eQfx6_Q3QURj0n3jVH0qPUdI0pJSdoTuvOOUG_Q7uIaPNCKvKvxwjhu845BP1eqG8D-xYLDZ2osgeUE0UBA0BHTAla9ax86K5awpfU6FoX8s0io0B2ooIV_a4MuM5GV6B2N1ZWZ-cRhfBCdt5UHkAJCnA_dNW4ysuK1niX0ZUcBN9-HLoMQwq_g/s624/IMG_20230315_124739888.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmz9eQfx6_Q3QURj0n3jVH0qPUdI0pJSdoTuvOOUG_Q7uIaPNCKvKvxwjhu845BP1eqG8D-xYLDZ2osgeUE0UBA0BHTAla9ax86K5awpfU6FoX8s0io0B2ooIV_a4MuM5GV6B2N1ZWZ-cRhfBCdt5UHkAJCnA_dNW4ysuK1niX0ZUcBN9-HLoMQwq_g/w400-h300/IMG_20230315_124739888.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian line spread out across the Wagram, but starting to look shakey. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182628534187621975.post-24131749288850073732023-03-01T04:01:00.000-08:002023-03-01T04:01:01.072-08:00 Baumersdorf @ Wagram, scenario 1 with Soldiers of Napoleon<p>We’ve trialed this style of re-fight game before, with some Waterloo scenarios, but its time for a different battle, one that better suits our forces. Wagram seems the obvious choice for lots of Austrians to fight lots of French (and German allies). So, this will be a series of games to recreate that battle in SoN-sized actions. The first would be on the evening of July 5th as the French make their probing attacks towards the Wagram high ground. One such was conducted by Oudinot’s Corps, in the French centre, using part of Grandjean’s division to try and take the village of Baumersdorf, which sat on the Russbach stream at the base of the Wagram slope. <br /><br />The game would see two French infantry brigades (actually regiments), the 57th Line and 10th Light on their left and right respectively, face an screening brigade of Austrian jaegers and the 2nd battalion of the 'Erherzog Karl Legion' holding the village itself, under General Hardegg, and more Austrian infantry and guns up on the crest of the high ground (Weid-Runkel's brigade). Behind them, the only reserve committed to his fight, was a single light cavalry regiment, the <i>Vincent </i>chevau-leger. <br /><br />The French mission was to take Baumserdorf and get over the Russbach and up that slope. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBRllsm3USt1kP1KWW6yKhUycuWEL6vA4q6BAWb-3Y-q2BWxIaAP5I8rFpeqXNE9H-6cZe3yGk5BYe-dKE4igGsvxmXLGXLHw0OwValAKIkN1vIXQ0tjTFg5KZyFhpqsHCzLYIJzYaxObR5pctlXj7u5QDNcwPs7IfD-wi8u_Y7EF-l39iNW3RiEP1g/s624/IMG_20230223_212429334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBRllsm3USt1kP1KWW6yKhUycuWEL6vA4q6BAWb-3Y-q2BWxIaAP5I8rFpeqXNE9H-6cZe3yGk5BYe-dKE4igGsvxmXLGXLHw0OwValAKIkN1vIXQ0tjTFg5KZyFhpqsHCzLYIJzYaxObR5pctlXj7u5QDNcwPs7IfD-wi8u_Y7EF-l39iNW3RiEP1g/w400-h300/IMG_20230223_212429334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baumersdorf, Russbach stream and Wagram slope, from the French side. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rzSiw_SkIaP3lMAzNCBAAHF8bm_5R4RibQFJQDyYFjNiQmiiMVFf9DC1VGrJlsWvmwYLQdxvVX2q3ePsJ2BvKy117m8TZ820kp5AZYior1sjg1oKslvNPZV0RasdW80xXyl5l6l3ci4JWDQi2X-Ioid_hjJY27UJAKHfFr2X3qN3rkTRIU87audS1g/s624/IMG_20230223_212445946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rzSiw_SkIaP3lMAzNCBAAHF8bm_5R4RibQFJQDyYFjNiQmiiMVFf9DC1VGrJlsWvmwYLQdxvVX2q3ePsJ2BvKy117m8TZ820kp5AZYior1sjg1oKslvNPZV0RasdW80xXyl5l6l3ci4JWDQi2X-Ioid_hjJY27UJAKHfFr2X3qN3rkTRIU87audS1g/w400-h300/IMG_20230223_212445946.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian side<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p>The game started with the French attack moving up on the village, all three battalions with their supporting cannon fire. As the 57th Line advanced, the 10th Light would wait, skirmishers going forwards to target the jaegers which lined the stream’s ditch, but hoping for Baumersdorf to fall before they pressed on to cross it. With a cry of ‘Vive L’Empereur!’ the 2nd battalion the 57th charged the houses and, with great elan, drove the Karl Legion out, who fell back over the stream bridges (or waded it, it was only about 2’ deep) to take up new positions in buildings on the opposite bank. The French had achieved an early objective though, taken a strong point, as their other battalions moved up and sent more skirmishers into the village streets and gardens. They grabbed an early lead in VPs. <br /><br />That is where the 57th Line’s swift advance halted. The Karl legion found some better determination (and useful rally special event cards) and their attached jaegers laid down accurate fire at the voltiguers on the opposite back, sniping back and forth, with occasional ineffective volleys, the French halted and just couldn’t get across the stream. (This is exactly as it happened on the evening of 5th July, 1809). <br /><br />Meanwhile, the jaegers in the Russbach were delivering more accurate rifle shooting and had the 10th Light concerned. This was the jaeger's kind of fight, a stand-off attritional skirmish with them in good cover. French artillery firing at them did nothing. <br /><br />Up on the Wagram, Weid-Runkel’s brigade had little to do, except wait for an attack that wasn’t coming. They sent out a few skirmishers, and marched a battalion of the Frelich infantry towards Baumersdorf, in case reinforcements were needed. It would be costly in Orders, being so far from their command stand, but it’s not like the brigade were using any Orders at the moment anyway. Behind them, the light cavalry arrived and galloped in marching column, for speed, through their lines and down the Wagram slope, heading for the stream. If the French wouldn’t come to us, we'll go to them. <br /><br />A few fallow turns followed, stalemate of skirmish fire in the village, both sides happy to hold the buildings they had. Ineffective cannon fire, and more skirmishing along the Russbach forced a French rally. The cavalry moved up, formed a line and waded through the stream with menace.<br /><br />Then, suddenly, the deadlock broke. First, at Baumersdorf, 1st battalion of the 57th Line moved out and tried to get across the stream, charging and taking a single Austrian 6 pdr gun which had been harassing them all game. This pushed the Austrians closer to their (already low) break point. They, in-turn, took a lot of fire from the jaegers to the left and right and were now in disorder. This meant that when the reinforcing Frelich battalion column came rushing down the Wagram and used a consecutive order to charge, the veteran French infantry lost the melee badly and where thrown back over the stream in complete chaos. They would rout. On the other flank the <i>Vincent </i>chevauleger now charged as well, the French forming line (not square), but my cavalry needed a good roll to cover the distance, or face a big volley. It was a risk, but hey, no point in waiting to be ‘skirmish fired’ to death, just go!. The charge, by good dice rolls (and a handy command point re-roll), made it and rode into the French line, winning the melee and driving the French light infantry back to the table edge in disorder. It was costly to rally them and avoid them routing too. More VPs for the Austrians, closing the earlier gap. <br /><br />After an eventful turn and a few rallies, the Austrians were now just 1 VP from breaking, the French 4. Another tense last turn then, as both sort to maximize their MV return. More skirmish firing in the village saw the Disruption build, but not enough to break the others unit, whilst the Austrian chevauleger charged again, winning the melee again (they were very keen) and driving the forlorn French battalion off the table. Was it enough to sneak a win?<br /><br />No. The French had broken the Austrians by 2 morale points. The French were on their Breakpoint now. So a marginal, very marginal, French win, by just 2 VPs. We decided that with such a close game neither side should gain any VPs for the wider campaign-battle (winning games gains Battle VPs, over the course of 9,10,11 games we’ll see who wins the day). So, exactly as on July 5th, the fighting at Baumersdorf throughout the evening gained neither side anything for the next day’s fighting. <br /><br />Scenario 2 will be Dupas' division (of Bernadotte’s Corps) attacking up the Wagram on the same evening (to the west of this battlefield). I’ll have another French assault to repulse, slight larger that this one, which was on the small end of a SoN game. <br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO_PwKAEGXgS53q3m0HyWaW0O_lAGTx3cu23tSOYl665WEnOKNrTVqUesJhJaz8mA1g659nH5sjL-_pZlqVcCpmqRKqch5Itr_c8-Br2PGeKEZtAk2t5jEvclp86Ix6PqZOpmisSVSY9ESaDKvI_TlzC2EXr8p0kyoVlZpmcErAUaktrA6uJ9AwYI5A/s624/IMG_20230224_103038700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO_PwKAEGXgS53q3m0HyWaW0O_lAGTx3cu23tSOYl665WEnOKNrTVqUesJhJaz8mA1g659nH5sjL-_pZlqVcCpmqRKqch5Itr_c8-Br2PGeKEZtAk2t5jEvclp86Ix6PqZOpmisSVSY9ESaDKvI_TlzC2EXr8p0kyoVlZpmcErAUaktrA6uJ9AwYI5A/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_103038700.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weid-Runkel's brigade atop the slope. 6 pdr cannons currently (and mostly) out of range. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun--c3gKGbMARwdwet17z7YSPpeChZpgV2J2pO31Muw44S1hHAZy7VfTSTkV1YMY9KioOHAr13yTxSZZU5SBx5AOFy7MDwzyZFvVz2TEj5CXcWTWWvO8FeJOM1GFE2eASVaIjeBhAcrijmNf_bcbG8Qza7OC4HpWubG9-qWQj3sL1SQi9fcKYFaka0Q/s624/IMG_20230224_103052962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun--c3gKGbMARwdwet17z7YSPpeChZpgV2J2pO31Muw44S1hHAZy7VfTSTkV1YMY9KioOHAr13yTxSZZU5SBx5AOFy7MDwzyZFvVz2TEj5CXcWTWWvO8FeJOM1GFE2eASVaIjeBhAcrijmNf_bcbG8Qza7OC4HpWubG9-qWQj3sL1SQi9fcKYFaka0Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_103052962.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">57th Line advance! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzQfKWlexAfBm3q88ALnfJMNy-9xiPiG1kRS1YcbjP7uSbVPRU0-M-7InKgVU3z7JzLZWjyHnnDcAgS-wcqajtL5Hc-RA_CYV9-fBqFBiYpiOm8FcgLGIgVkUIVfijf8yQ-NoSzt0fnNEhRklqSbXVClOhNwTfAuW6TUtztrAU6tmZXRarm1KGBFG4A/s624/IMG_20230224_110228845.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzQfKWlexAfBm3q88ALnfJMNy-9xiPiG1kRS1YcbjP7uSbVPRU0-M-7InKgVU3z7JzLZWjyHnnDcAgS-wcqajtL5Hc-RA_CYV9-fBqFBiYpiOm8FcgLGIgVkUIVfijf8yQ-NoSzt0fnNEhRklqSbXVClOhNwTfAuW6TUtztrAU6tmZXRarm1KGBFG4A/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_110228845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storming the first houses and taking them. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ-bGsavxKkjCsb--e4I4BcfM94h4NIT55C4P86PI7lim2PH6w2I7LthCE6dKI8tt_BkyWH8bQ868AvCyLR-N1KvhIfTgB6H5YnhOC2qvD3sJT4rjcbAvYwD-BQuo4qmwmS3BDc0BiSEooyzmIPfBEYLS_vrjkgy8s7Pkb6PddDROE0QV24k4zL1D2Q/s624/IMG_20230224_110236388.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ-bGsavxKkjCsb--e4I4BcfM94h4NIT55C4P86PI7lim2PH6w2I7LthCE6dKI8tt_BkyWH8bQ868AvCyLR-N1KvhIfTgB6H5YnhOC2qvD3sJT4rjcbAvYwD-BQuo4qmwmS3BDc0BiSEooyzmIPfBEYLS_vrjkgy8s7Pkb6PddDROE0QV24k4zL1D2Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_110236388.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erherzog Karl legion and jaegers hold the other side of the stream, much skirmish fire back and forth. Some terrible French shooting here. Miss, miss, miss... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgXCXmz0FqHKpUvUhLygarbO-0v3nPfeXM5LTALqtD7a2bw5Vft5NAOAm6hAubjzjATIFhwBdazEdSyEy-xPfQ0NplHpDNeTfLZFICIxlEsYdiEvD6VqghNnQIxMaIPHwaYrpFYtVm0p3xcMB-ySvD0ghINfJMTvuwmiDTq6Ib86OasVTo01g8628Jw/s624/IMG_20230224_112531010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgXCXmz0FqHKpUvUhLygarbO-0v3nPfeXM5LTALqtD7a2bw5Vft5NAOAm6hAubjzjATIFhwBdazEdSyEy-xPfQ0NplHpDNeTfLZFICIxlEsYdiEvD6VqghNnQIxMaIPHwaYrpFYtVm0p3xcMB-ySvD0ghINfJMTvuwmiDTq6Ib86OasVTo01g8628Jw/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_112531010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Frelich infantry manouevre into place. One battalion makes for the village, just in case. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr2KymoN10tyww6f99-az94IXCKSiQ0tfM1sxl2xl54ociIzelybVNyUKbPdLkyWb1Wiv9FYrjO-2Ht3kgpuDnloFcPhZ5LBL3vNs1HSw9JyKiqiXiYPt35Ubg32E_Gd2Wg6FCHYm-yGpKE-Ypnu5fqTU5rXpvBKBtGHgmftu1pR9GdoLg8qHXEDhAA/s624/IMG_20230224_112538017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr2KymoN10tyww6f99-az94IXCKSiQ0tfM1sxl2xl54ociIzelybVNyUKbPdLkyWb1Wiv9FYrjO-2Ht3kgpuDnloFcPhZ5LBL3vNs1HSw9JyKiqiXiYPt35Ubg32E_Gd2Wg6FCHYm-yGpKE-Ypnu5fqTU5rXpvBKBtGHgmftu1pR9GdoLg8qHXEDhAA/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_112538017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 57th Line stalled at Baumersdorf, before 1st battalion (furthest) tried to go round<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCL0uB074DHrHKTPPPjGUn7E022f18CDrM6H99n3KGG77ufXIai7PEmft7p-2wkCQBWPBGREVTR8PiiaTKEbiKqn0Wy-dQYA08uEyL3LHRWr8wEhHNR9IKLDKg3RNGcVshflWFpgyz37mWD-_Ttof1f5-ol5E9nak9iL_Vf9OHfRa76bpO7YPOP97gw/s624/IMG_20230224_114549751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCL0uB074DHrHKTPPPjGUn7E022f18CDrM6H99n3KGG77ufXIai7PEmft7p-2wkCQBWPBGREVTR8PiiaTKEbiKqn0Wy-dQYA08uEyL3LHRWr8wEhHNR9IKLDKg3RNGcVshflWFpgyz37mWD-_Ttof1f5-ol5E9nak9iL_Vf9OHfRa76bpO7YPOP97gw/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_114549751.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent chevauleger gallop on. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8UqWddC1J9FA8jvEfsv2m_dFEOJ9sbmELKg055n-y7y2SuiIoYHW6IgigwqKw9HgOJVInAbDP8fX-0UpS2UcHn3EZFryL-B0OthxDyGZL_xysXozzh-Jg2IAlWEC7La1cAdI6g_irWpyPwF4U3rfm0RKyXebbJGFZh5sqtsfAe5rqllDlbZxlPypaQ/s624/IMG_20230224_134743953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8UqWddC1J9FA8jvEfsv2m_dFEOJ9sbmELKg055n-y7y2SuiIoYHW6IgigwqKw9HgOJVInAbDP8fX-0UpS2UcHn3EZFryL-B0OthxDyGZL_xysXozzh-Jg2IAlWEC7La1cAdI6g_irWpyPwF4U3rfm0RKyXebbJGFZh5sqtsfAe5rqllDlbZxlPypaQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_134743953.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melee over the Russbach, the French are defeated and thrown back, as jaegers continue take their toll too... 1st battalion breaks and runs. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71T8547bbUF-zZpAdsGCCp_f2djh4umlg-lTw2XNd0ZKPAupxjGW6OSDFTdwig65Xv6RKwdILj72uP18f9ysVNajK9Yb2v7IgXbQrJ0EJdd_RbW8JL-7W6qhjJCshrCRxMamUIXH7vAnmEVifded9qZvnBiJxKSkXYUmONndT_Aa_hyOp0eTTKJXMfQ/s624/IMG_20230224_134756104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71T8547bbUF-zZpAdsGCCp_f2djh4umlg-lTw2XNd0ZKPAupxjGW6OSDFTdwig65Xv6RKwdILj72uP18f9ysVNajK9Yb2v7IgXbQrJ0EJdd_RbW8JL-7W6qhjJCshrCRxMamUIXH7vAnmEVifded9qZvnBiJxKSkXYUmONndT_Aa_hyOp0eTTKJXMfQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230224_134756104.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vincent chevauleger close in for a second charge, to finish off the French light infantry. Heroics, but not quite enough to win the day. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Warwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544763729451927600noreply@blogger.com2