Napoleonic: Russian v French
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:25 pm
This was the first hex based Napoleonic game at the club since we emerged from the Covid restrictions.
In this scenario units of Russian infantry were holding the central village which was soon under attack from French cavalry squadrons supported by infantry light gun batteries. The French guns soon dislodged the defenders who withdrew towards an area of woodland behind a screen of Russian light cavalry.
Another large force of French cavalry appeared, this time with heavy dragoons and cuirassiers. They needed some substantial opposition, which arrived in the form of Russian heavy cavalry units advancing along the road towards the village which was now firmly in French hands.
In response the French commanders, Tony and Chris, deployed their artillery adjacent to the village where these batteries could receive supporting musketry fire from the occupying infantry. It was time for the Russian Cossacks to lead the assault with the heavy cavalry units following up behind.
In the meantime, Tony had despatched 3 units of French light cavalry on a flanking manoeuvre sweeping around the forest to threaten the left flank of Russian cavalry. This was met by 3 units of Russian cavalry which included a unit of heavy dragoons. The resulting stand-off lasted the remainder of the game!
The Cossacks supported by a unit of Russian light dragoons charged the guns. This was sacrificial in many ways, but it did pave the way for the Russian cavalry to engage their French counterparts in what turned into an epic struggle. After initial French success the Russian heavy cavalry supported by Tim’s light units gained the upper hand forcing the French squadrons back.
Russian guard cavalry appeared on the right of the table and the French cuirassiers and heavy dragoons formed a line ready to charge these new opponents. This would be the final and deciding action of the game as the 2 largest opposing cavalry forces smashed into each other. The combat dice definitely favoured the Russians, and the French were forced to withdraw. The game ended with the village securely defended by French infantry and artillery, the cavalry stand-off on the left and the French holding in the centre and loosing on the right. If more time was available, the game could still have swung either way!
In this scenario units of Russian infantry were holding the central village which was soon under attack from French cavalry squadrons supported by infantry light gun batteries. The French guns soon dislodged the defenders who withdrew towards an area of woodland behind a screen of Russian light cavalry.
Another large force of French cavalry appeared, this time with heavy dragoons and cuirassiers. They needed some substantial opposition, which arrived in the form of Russian heavy cavalry units advancing along the road towards the village which was now firmly in French hands.
In response the French commanders, Tony and Chris, deployed their artillery adjacent to the village where these batteries could receive supporting musketry fire from the occupying infantry. It was time for the Russian Cossacks to lead the assault with the heavy cavalry units following up behind.
In the meantime, Tony had despatched 3 units of French light cavalry on a flanking manoeuvre sweeping around the forest to threaten the left flank of Russian cavalry. This was met by 3 units of Russian cavalry which included a unit of heavy dragoons. The resulting stand-off lasted the remainder of the game!
The Cossacks supported by a unit of Russian light dragoons charged the guns. This was sacrificial in many ways, but it did pave the way for the Russian cavalry to engage their French counterparts in what turned into an epic struggle. After initial French success the Russian heavy cavalry supported by Tim’s light units gained the upper hand forcing the French squadrons back.
Russian guard cavalry appeared on the right of the table and the French cuirassiers and heavy dragoons formed a line ready to charge these new opponents. This would be the final and deciding action of the game as the 2 largest opposing cavalry forces smashed into each other. The combat dice definitely favoured the Russians, and the French were forced to withdraw. The game ended with the village securely defended by French infantry and artillery, the cavalry stand-off on the left and the French holding in the centre and loosing on the right. If more time was available, the game could still have swung either way!