It was my last Sunday game of the year, and I wanted it to be something big and impressive. We played Napoleon on a 28mm scale using Black Powder rules, featuring our entire collections: Campbell's, Michael's, and mine. I had created a scenario where we had to defend a position against hordes of enemies. Campbell was delighted with the setup, Michael could have been more enthusiastic, but Tim took it all in stride.
SCENARIO: Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda
SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC
FIGURES & MODELS: Campbell Hardie, Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda
1. Forces.
POLES
(Bartek)
Poniatowski (9)
1 x Regimental Gun Battery
1 x Regimental Gun Battery
1 x Regimental Gun Battery
1 x Regimental Gun Battery
GERMAN COALITION
(Campbell, Michael, Tim)
Austrian CinC (8)
Wurtenbergian CinC (8)
Prussian CinC (8)
AUSTRIAN DIVISION
1st Austrian Infantry Brigade
Brigade General (8)
1 x Jaegers Battalion(Large)
3 x Infantry Battalion (Large)
1 x Field Gun
2nd Austrian Infantry Brigade
1 x Jaegers Battalion (Large)
3 x Infantry Battalion(Large)
3rd Austrian Infantry Brigade
4 x Infantry Battalion (Large)
4th Austrian Infantry Brigade
2 x Austrian Grenadier Battalion (Large)
4 x Hungarian Grenadier Battalion (Large)
WURTTEMBERGIAN DIVISON
1st Wurttemberg Infantry Brigade
2nd Wurttemberg Infantry Brigade
3rd Wurttemberg Infantry Brigade
PRUSSIAN DIVISION
1st Prussian Infantry Brigade
2nd Prussian Infantry Brigade
3rd Prussian Infantry Brigade
CAVALRY DIVISION
1st Austrian Cavalry Brigade
2nd Austrian Cavalry Brigade
3rd Austrian Cavalry Brigade
1st Wurttemberg Cavalry Brigade
2nd Wurttemberg Cavalry Brigade
1 x Cuirassier (Austrain, Large)
Wurttember Horse Gun Battery
2. The Game.
Three corps—the Austrian, Wurtemberg, and Prussian—had the opportunity to inflict significant losses on the Grande Armée as it crossed the river. In their path, two hills were occupied by a Polish corps equipped with strong artillery. The Allies were tasked with driving the Poles off both hills and placing their two batteries—Wurtemberg and Austrian—upon them to fire on the retreating French army. This was a challenging objective; however, given their considerable numerical advantage in infantry (37 battalions versus 10) and cavalry (12 regiments versus 7), success should be attainable with the effective use of all army resources.
It began, as always, with cavalry engaging on the wings. On our left, my Uhlans confronted Austrian cuirassiers, who were supported by Württemberg horsemen. As usual, I was pushed back by the cuirassiers; however, I fared much better against the Württembergers, thanks in large part to the mobile horse artillery. I was also able to destroy one regiment of Austrian cuirassiers. In the end, though, I had to withdraw my battered Uhlans behind the infantry line. Thus, the flank was saved.
On the other side, my chasseurs bravely faced a smaller brigade of Austrian cavalry, which was supporting the advance of the Prussian corps. After a series of charges and countercharges, both sides had to retreat to their original positions. Unfortunately, I was unable to prevent the Prussians, who attacked my right flank with two infantry brigades.
During the same time, the Austrians and Wurtembergers directed their infantry against my position. However, their advance was effectively slowed by my artillery. Interestingly, neither the Wurtembergers nor the Austrians attacked in columns, which significantly hampered their progress. The Prussians managed to secure their position by attacking in this manner, and this had a noticeable effect. Tim was able to move his units twice the distance that Michael or Campbell could.
On the right hill, the Austrians and Prussians began to assault my positions. Despite a courageous defence, my lines started to break, and I suffered heavy losses. However, Poniatowski's presence prevented my units from being defeated in several instances. Eventually, the Poles were surrounded on the hill, but they continued to fight. The Austrian artillery was still not adequately positioned on the hill.
The situation on the second hill appears to be completely different. The Wurttemberg troops, who chose to attack in line formation, took a considerable amount of time to reach my lines. They were effectively halted by the Polish infantry, and by the end of the game, this hill remained secure. Ultimately, the Poles succeeded in preventing their opponents from establishing their cannons on the hills, which preserved the integrity of the Grand Army. However, for the Poles, it was a Pyrrhic victory; their losses were substantial, and they likely would not have been able to withdraw all of their forces. Nevertheless, they accomplished their objective!
3. Losses.
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| Poles: 2 x Ułan, 3 x Infantry Battalion, 2 x Field Gun, 4 x Horse Gun, 2 x Regimental Gun |
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| Allied Germans: 1 x Austrian Cuirassier (Large), 1 x Wurttemberg Chasseur, 1 x Austrian Infantry Battalion (Large), 1 x Wurttemberg Infantry Battalion, 1 x Austrian Field Gun, 2 x Wurttemberg Horse Gun |
4. Links.
SESWC (Campbell):
To be updated soon...
MICHAEL:
https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/12/2-in-1-big-sunday-napoleonics-vs-french.html
FLICKR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720322393833
