Catching up with a report this battle fought way back the end of April this year; Battle Command rules by Brent Oman. The scenario was covered in an earlier post back in April; here’s the Wikipedia article on the combat.
I had the attacking French; Kevin couldn’t make it due to a sudden work issue. Barry and Thomas had the Russian defenders. They were out numbered but had a good defensive position, and the French would have little or no artillery, most of it being mired in mud on the abysmal Polish roads
The French infantry advance at the Northern end of the Battlefield got off to a good start, with the French Light Infantry threatening the flank of the village position.
French Legere maneuvering through the swamp, and bayonet charges along the roadways!
The initial French attacks were very successful, and the Russians were hemorrhaging Morale points!
The second French Division attacks the other woods.
“The bayonet is a good fellow, but the musket is a fickle freind!”, said Suravov. The Russian Jager skirmishers are outshot by the French Legere despite their advantaged position.
Murat arrives with a pack of French cavalry. The problem is that the terrain just isn’t very suitable for its maneuvering and deployment, with the Russians well supplied with artillery as well!
Czar Barry is hoping to bring on the Russian reserves; say, that doesn’t look much like Vodka in that bottle! You expect us to hustle for some dubious brown liquid? Nyet!
The Russians commit their Grenadiers and Heavy guns to the defense of the village position!
A cavalcade of Cavalry for the French…. but without artillery and infantry support, the options for the French horsemen are limited.
Overview of the battle in mid game.
Davout has arrived with his infantry, but the masses of cavalry have cramped his deployment!
French attacks keep up the pressure to the North.
The French light cavalry make a gamble trying to slip around the edge of yet another woods position. It ends… badly!
Overview of the Southern end of the Field.
Russian Cuirassier launch a fierce charge, trying to buy time and constrict the maneuver of the crowed French. Nightfall comes early in Poland in late December!
Situation to the North.
Russian cavalry threatens to attack!
Un croque chasseur! And croak they certainly did!
Russian light cavalry charge; severe congestion hampers the advance of Davout’s much needed infantry
Situation at the end of the game. There was probably another hour to play before nightfall, but Czar Barry had to drive all the way back to Maine. Morale points were about even at this point, and there was little chance the French could achieve anything decisive in the short time remaining. This means the result was very similar to the historical one; despite the early French successes, the Russians fought well, using the advantages of their position, and the ability to use all three arms, to hold off the French long enough to make good their escape after nightfall.
