Since our Germantown campaign concluded ahead of schedule, we needed to fill a gap in our gaming calendar. I suggested to Michael that we play an 800-point Napoleonic game using the Black Powder rules. I took command of the Duchy of Warsaw, while Michael led a combined Prussian-Austrian force. We set the battle in 1813, after the Battle of Leipzig, with Polish forces tasked with covering the main French army's retreat.
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda
1. Forces.
Brigade General (8)6 x Line Infantry Battalion2 x Regimental Battery
Brigade General (8)6 x Line Infantry Battalion2 x Regimental Battery
Brigade General (8)1 x Chasseur
Brigade General (8)2 x Line Infantry Battalion (Large)1 x Jaeger Infantry1 x Field Gun
Brigade General (8)ADC (8)3 x Line Infantry1 x Jaeger Infantry1 x Field Gun
Brigade General (8)1 x Cuirassier (Large, Veteran)1 x Cuirassier (Large)1 x Horse Gun
Brigade General (8)1 x Chasseur (Large)1 x Hussars (Large)1 x Horse Gun
2. The Game.
The main objectives of this scenario are to capture two river crossings, each worth 3 points. If the Principality forces can hold the river line until turn 6 (previously set to turn 8), they will earn 3 points. Additionally, if they successfully withdraw with 50% or more of their infantry beyond their own table edge, they will receive an extra 3 points.
Destroying an enemy battalion or cavalry regiment is worth 1 point, with an additional 0.5 points if the unit has received any upgrades. Destroying a piece of artillery is worth 0.5 points, with an extra 0.5 points if that unit has also been upgraded.
Both armies entered the battlefield in marching columns, arriving from the roads along their respective table edges. The Prussians arrived slightly differently, but for the sake of the game—and to speed things up—I agreed to this approach. David commanded the 1st Polish Infantry Brigade, while Ben led the 2nd. I held overall command and also led a cavalry brigade along with some additional artillery. On the opposing side, Jimmy commanded a brigade of cuirassiers, Alasdair led the Prussian forces, and Michael commanded the remainder of the troops.
The Polish battle plan was outlined as follows: two infantry brigades were to be positioned in two lines along the river, maintaining their positions until a withdrawal became feasible. The cavalry and horse artillery were to be kept in reserve, ready to intervene wherever the Polish lines might falter. The remaining artillery was stationed on a hill to provide cover during the retreat.
David quickly achieved the initial objectives of his plan, just in time for Jimmy to launch an attack with his cuirassiers. David successfully formed a square, forcing the Austrian heavy cavalry to retreat. He kept them disorganised with musket fire, ensuring this flank remained mostly static until Jimmy changed his strategy.
In the centre, the Prussians advanced slowly while under fire from the brigades led by Ben and David, suffering casualties along the way. Although the Poles destroyed two Prussian infantry battalions, they could not stop the Prussian advance. The Prussians reached the river line, further bolstered by the arrival of Jimmy's cuirassiers, who had shifted their position to the centre of the battlefield. The offensive in the centre was also strengthened by two artillery batteries.
Ben's brigade encountered significant challenges during the operation. First, he had to split his forces into two groups to navigate around a small wood, prompting me to keep my Chasseurs close to his units for support. Despite these difficulties, Ben successfully executed the plan's objectives and established a defensive position along the river line. Unfortunately, he faced Michael, who skillfully utilised his numerical superiority and deftly manoeuvred his cavalry. Additionally, Ben suffered from poor dice rolls, which contributed to his woes. Those dice made me have a heart attack and start believing that the Germans would break our lines. Before long, he had lost two infantry battalions and his entire artillery train. Nevertheless, he managed to maintain the defensive line until the order for retreat could be issued.
As the game approached its conclusion, Alasdair experienced a moment of glory when his Prussian forces charged Ben's Polish battalion and defeated it in hand-to-hand combat. However, this victory did not alter the overall outcome of the game. The Polish forces destroyed two infantry battalions, gained control of the ford, and held their position along the river line until turn 6, earning 8 points. In contrast, the combined Prussian-Austrian forces destroyed 4 artillery batteries and three Polish battalions, securing 5 points. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to withdraw the Polish forces, so we earned no points for that action.
3. Links.
SESWC:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352
FLICKR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720336928733/SONG ABOUT THE GAME:
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