Summary of the Rules

General

This section will try to explain setting up a game and the flow of play, plus some comments on the rules themselves.

PREPARATION FOR THE GAME

Allocate grade to each commander
A commander may be Gifted, Average or Poor
The grade must be allocated before the game starts

Allocate cavalry or artillery to reserve commander
Each army has a spare commander who may be used as a reserve commander if desired. He is allocated cavalry brigades or artillery from the other corps, and he becomes the reserve cavalry or artillery commander. This must be done before the game starts.

CinC write orders
Orders must be written for each corps, and reserve, commander before the game starts. Only CinC can change orders (except for Halt). The only orders allowed are:

Move

all must move towards objective
cavalry can opportunity charge, artillery can fire

Halt

no movement towards the enemy

may move to improve defenc

cavalry can opportunity charge

artillery can fire

Hold

may not advance nor retreat
cavalry can charge enemy within 8”.

infantry may skirmish within 4” or volley fire within 2”

Engage

must move towards objective.
cavalry and infantry as Hold

Attack

must move towards objective

artillery must move to canister range

Cavalry and infantry must attack any enemy within range

Prepare blinds for hidden movement
Each corps enters the table as a “blind”. You may use either a card or a skirmish base. It should be the 6” wide.

Prepare identity cards or chips for each commander
Each commander has a card or chip to indicate who he is. I use playing chips for each commander. They would be numbered 1 to 12 to cover both armies.

Prepare movement cards or chips for each commander
I use a second set of chips, also numbered 1 to 12. One chip is drawn each move, and that commander then takes his move. In addition you need the following chips:

Poor - the next poor commander to have his chip picked has to forego his move

French tactical – one French general, still on a blind, who has not yet moved may do so

Allied gifted – one gifted allied general who has not yet moved may do so

French gifted – one gifted French general who has not yet moved may do so


SEQUENCE OF PLAY

At the start of the turn all chips are placed in a hat or box.
Draw one chip each move until all chips have been drawn
Put chips back in hat or box and repeat sequence
I allow 12 moves per day, but this is optional

1 - Draw chip for movement

2 - Dice for command pips

3 - If CinC chip write orders

4 - Dice to spot enemy blind

5 - Artillery fire

6 - Artillery casualties test morale

7 - Movement

8 - Resolve combats

9 - Test morale

Demo Game - Move 9

Taken from Prussian right. The advantage is with the Prussians once more. On their right (nearest the camera) the reserve cavalry are on the flank of the French line and, supported by their artillery, ready to attack. The French CinC has halted his advance and changed his ordrs to Hold.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Prussian situation greatly improved, mainly because they moved first

Left - Engage orders moving into position far edge of broken ground

Centre - Halt orders, but formed square and safe from cavalry

Right - Engage orders and ready to move forward

French still in strong position.

Cavalry arrived too late to attack Prussian centre

Left - orders arrived too late to advance

Centre - Engage orders and moving forward

Right - Engage orders and moving forward

THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

Right – 1 corps and cavalry will engage enemy

Centre - 2 and 3 corps will hold the centre

Left - 4 corps will engage enemy

His intention is to hold his position until nightfall

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 4 corps have orders to Engage and are advancing towards the enemy. Their forward brigades have cleared the broken ground and the artillery has unlimbered.

Centre left. 2 corps have Halt orders, but the CinC has just joined them to issue fresh orders.

Centre right. 3 corps are on Hold orders. They have been badly shaken and are still in square. Their cavalry have made their morale. The corps will soon be ready for offensive action.

Right. 1 corps is now on Engage orders. They have formed line ready to advance and their artillery has manhandled forward to engage enemey.

Cavalry reserve are also on Engage orders. The cavalry are now fully formed and the gunners have manned their guns.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French – 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Engage

Artillery fire on square (3) miss

Overshoot on limbered artillery (4) miss

Infantry advance out of Helmstedt

Rally Shaken infantry to Disordered

Move 2 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders: Engage

Artillery fire on cavalry (6) miss

Infantry move forward and form line

Move 3 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Engage

Fire on artillery crew (12) 1 hit

Crew test morale (6) pass

Cavalry move towards Prussian cav

Prussians opportunity charge

Prussians roll 11, French cavalry rout

Support infantry test morale (6 & 6) both ok

Move 4 – Prussian – cavalry reserve (chip 12)

Orders: Engage

Gunners man guns

Cavalry Disordered, but turn to face enemy infantry

Move 5 – Poor card

Move 6 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders: Engage

Infantry form line

Artillery manhandle forward

Move 7 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders: Hold centre
Test to rally Shaken cavalry (8) pass and become Disordered

Move 8 – French – 13 corps (chip 5)

Orders: Engage

Miss move as Poor card in play

Move 9 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Too much to do to give move to 13 corps

Move to cavalry reserve change orders Withdraw to road

Move to 5 corps

Move 10 – French - 6 corps (chip 4)

Orders: Engage

Artillery fire on infantry column (4) miss

Commander change orders to Halt

Swop infantry with cavalry

Move 11 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 11)

Orders: Halt

Move cavalry back to left flank

Unlimber artillery

Move 12 – French – reserve (chip 6)

Orders: Withdraw to road

Fire on square (11) 2 hits.

Square test morale (6) pass

Cavalry retreat half move facing enemy

Move 13 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Move to 2 corps, change orders to Engage

Move to 3 corps, change orders to Engage

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE

Left. 5 corps are on Engage orders but in serious trouble. Their cavalry have lost a melee with the Prussian hussars and are in rout. This has left their right flank vunerable to the enemy cavalry and artillery. They urgently need new orders.

Left centre. Cavalry reserve have received Withdraw orders and have moved back to the road, covered by their artillery.

Right centre. 4 corps are on Engage orders and have advanced beyond Helmstedt. With the changed situation they urgently need new orders.

13 corps are also on Engage orders but have missed their turn due to the Poor Card. The French CinC must urgently decide whether he wants to continue this advance.

Right. 6 corps orders have been changed to Hold, and they have withdrawn their cavalry behind the infantry to protect them from artillery fire.

SUMMARY OF MOVE 9

Prussian situation greatly improved due to cavalry melee on right

French halt and take defensive position

Demo Game - Move 8

Taken from the Prussian right flank. The Prussian centre has been pushed back, and the infantry are in squares. The Prussian reserve cavalry (nearest camera) have reformed and advanced to cover the guns, the gunners are moving back to man the guns. The French (right in photograph), apart from the reserve cavalry, have not yet received orders to move and engage the Prussians.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Best described as one of those battles when the French could do no wrong and the Prussians could do no right

Blucher is very concerned, the battle is going badly wrong

On his left his Poor 4 corps has refused to move 4 times

In his centre left 2 corps has halted his advance

In his centre right 3 corps are in disorder

On his right 1 corps is holding

On his far right cav reserve are rallying

His intention is to hold along his whole line

The French counter attack has started and it looks bad for the Prussians

THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps will hold the right flank

Cavalry reserve will rally behind 1 corps

2 and 3 corps will hold the centre

4 corps will engage enemy on left flank

His intention is to hold his position until nightfall

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE PRUSSIAN SIDE OF THE TABLE

Left - 4 corps have Engage orders. They are very slow to approach the enemy, partly because of the difficult terrain, partly because they keep missing a move due to their Poor commander.

Centre left - 2 corps have Halt orders due to French cavalry on their right front. They are moving their artillery and lancers to their right to counter this threat.

Centre right - 3 corps have Hold orders. Their infantry are all in square due to the approaching French cavalry. Their cavalry have rallied to Shaken, but are protected by the infantry square until they can rally fully.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders: Halt

Move artillery to left to counter enemy cavalry and unlimber

Move 2 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders: Halt

Infantry form square to counter enemy cavalry

Artillery limber and move behind squares

Move 3 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders: Hold centre
French lancers declare opportunity charge on Shaken cuirassiers

Test to charge, roll 1, fail

Cuirassiers move back facing enemy

Infantry square moves to protect cuirassiers

Test morale for cuirassiers, roll 1, remain Shaken

Test morale for routing infantry, fail, continue rout

No friendly units within 8”, no morale tests

Move 4 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Move to reserve cavalry and change orders to Engage

Move to 1 corps and change orders to Engage

Move 5 – Prussian right –reserve (chip 12)

Orders: Engage
Dragoons move forward to protect guns

Gunners move forward to man guns

Move 6 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold

Unlimber gun to counter enemy cavalry

Right hand infantry form square

Move 7 – French – 13 corps (chip 5)

Orders: Move to road

All infantry move to road

Move 8 – French – 6 corps (chip 4)

Orders: Engage

Artillery fire on guns (roll 5) miss

Infantry form column of attack and advance

Move 9 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Change 5 corps orders to Engage

Move to Shaken infantry brigade from 4 crops

Test morale, roll 2, fail remain Shaken

Move to 13 corps

Move 10 – French – 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Engage

Guns unlimber

Infantry move forward

Move 11 – French – reserve (chip 6)

Orders: Engage

All enemy infantry in square

Change orders to Halt

Move forward brigade back to form line

Unlimber artillery

Move 12 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders: Engage

Artillery fire on cavalry (roll 7) 1 hit

Cavalry test morale (roll 5) pass

Infantry move forward through broken ground

Move 13 – Poor Card

All Poor commanders have already moved, no effect

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE FRENCH SIDE OF THE TABLE

Left - 5 corps have hold orders. They are expecting orders to advance, and their infantry have formed column of attack, and the artillery are limbered.

Left centre - Cavalry reserve have moved forward to attack the Prussian centre, their artillery are in support. The artillery from 4 corps have joined them, and one infantry brigade is in support of the guns.

Right centre - 4 corps have received Engage orders and are moving through Helmstedt (not the building has been removed to allow move measurements).

13 Corps (on the right) have orders to Move to the road, and are just reaching it. The CinC has arrived to give new orders to their commander.

Right - 6 corps have Engage orders. They are moving forward to engage the Prussians as they exit the broken ground.

SUMMARY OF MOVE 8

Prussian situation greatly improved, mainly because they moved first

Left - Engage orders moving into position far edge of broken ground

Centre - Halt orders, but formed square and safe from cavalry

Right - Engage orders and ready to move forward

French still in strong position.

Cavalry arrived too late to attack Prussian centre

Left - orders arrived too late to advance

Centre - Engage orders and moving forward

Right - Engage orders and moving forward

Demo Game - Move 7

Taken from Prussian right flank. The French counter attack has begun. In the centre their reserve cavalry have moved forwarded supported by artillery. The rest of the French corps are waiting for change of orders to advance. The Prussian centre has withdrawn and all of the infantry are in square.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Prussians are recovering on right flank, but still Shaken

Prussians are retreating in the centre, still awaiting orders

Prussians are advancing on the left and about to Engage

French are slow to react , still waiting for orders

French right flank secure

French right centre in danger due to one rout, could break

French left centre waiting for orders to advance

French left flank waiting for orders to advance

THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps will hold the right flank

Cavalry reserve will rally behind 1 corps

2 corps will hold the centre

3 and 4 corps will engage enemy on left flank

His intention is to attack with his left

Hold his centre

Hold and really his right

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 4 corps have been given Engage orders and are advancing through the broken ground.

Left centre - 2 corps commander has halted and is awaiting new orders from CinC. They are concerned about the advance of French cavalry reserve on their right front.

Right centre - 3 corps are on Halt orders and awaiting new orders from CinC. They are the target of the advancing French cavalry reserve, and one infantry brigade has already routed.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French – 6 corps (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank
Artillery fire on enemy artillery and miss

Move 2 – French – 13 corps (chip 5)

Orders: Move to road on right of Helmstedt
No artillery with this corps

Move infantry brigades forward through the rout

Test morale for Shaken brigade, roll 5, pass become Disordered

Move 3 – Poor Card

Move 4 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders: Engage Enemy

Miss another move due to Poor Card

(fourth time this game !)

Move 5 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : Halt

Await new orders from CinC

Limber gun and move towards right flank

Move 6 – French – CinC

Change orders of 6 corps

Move to reserve cavalry and change orders

Move to far left and join 5 corps

Move 7 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders : Halt

Put all infantry in square

Test morale for Shaken 6 brigade, roll 1, Rout

Test morale for all brigades within 8”

Result cavalry Shaken, 3 infantry make morale

Move 8 – Prussian – reserve (chip 12)

Orders : Halt

Move dragoons to right flank

Test Shaken artillery morale (roll 5) pass become Disordered

Move 9 – French – reserve (chip 6)

Orders: Engage
Both brigades move forward within charge move of enemy

Artillery limber and advance in support

Move 10 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders: Engage
Commander changes orders to Halt

French cavalry reserve is close to his flank

Move 11 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Too much to do to give move to 4 corps

Move to centre right change 6 corps orders to Hold

Move to Prussian right to 1 corps

Move 12 – French – 4 corps (chip Gifted)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Rally garrison in preparation to remove them

Move in Shaken brigade

Test morale (roll 6) pass become Disordered

Test morale for Routed brigade (roll 6) pass become Shaken

Move 13 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank

Unable to move as still on Hold orders

Form column of attack with all infantry brigades

Limber artillery ready to advance

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 3 corps are still on Hold orders, but have formed column of attack ready to advance. CinC has arrived to issue new orders

Centre left - Cavalry reserve has received Engage orders and has moved forward supported by their horse artillery. 4 corps artillery is also moving forward to engage the Prussian centre

Centre right - The routing infantry brigade has rallied and is now Shaken. 13 corps have moved through them and are taking up position on the road between Helmstedt and the right flank.

Right - 6 corps is holding the flank and is not at present under any threat from the Prussian army.

SUMMARY OF MOVE 7

One of those moves when the French could do no wrong and the Prussians could do no right

Blucher is very concerned, the battle is going badly wrong

On his left his Poor 4 corps has refused to move 4 times

In his centre left 2 corps has halted his advance

In his centre right 3 corps are in disorder

On his right 1 corps is holding

On his far right cav reserve are rallying

His intention is to hold along his whole line

The French counter attack has started and it looks bad for the Prussians

Demo Game - Move 6

Taken from Prussian right flank. The French army are deployed along the Wolfsburg road, with Helmstedt in the centre. The Prussian right wing is in disorder and trying to rally. The centre has halted and the left wing slow to advance.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Prussian cavalry and artillery very lucky to make morale, but still Shaken

Right flank waiting for orders

Centre right waiting for orders

Centre left ready to advance and Engage enemy

Left again halted due to Poor card, but ready to advance and Engage enemy

Blucher has managed to issue fresh orders to engage with his left flank

Centre waiting for orders, but unable to advance due to stronger enemy

Right looking better, but cavalry still Shaken

The Prussians are fortunate that the French have not yet reacted to disaster on the right. This might be due to indecision by the French CinC or insufficient command Pips to issue necessary orders.

THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps will hold the right flank

Cavalry reserve will rally behind 1 corps

2 corps will hold the centre

3 and 4 corps will engage enemy on left flank

His intention is to attack with his left

Hold his centre

Hold and really his right

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 4 corps has a Poor commander, who has failed to move a couple of times. Blucher has moved to his side to ensure that he moves this time.

Left centre - 2 corps is advancing towards Helmstedt

Right centre - 3 corps has taken casualties and has the French cavalry reserve opposite them. Their commander has changed his orders to Halt, formed his infantry in square and withdrawn out of artillery range.

Right - Commander 1 corps has changed his orders to Halt, and is holding his own. The cavalry commander has rallied his dragoons and horse artillery, but the hussars have routed from the field. He is moving his command behind 1 corps to regroup them.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French - reserve (chip 6)

Orders: Hold

Out of artillery range

Unable to move forwards due to orders

Move 2 – French – 6 corps (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank
Fire on cavalry (roll 6), miss

Move 3 – French - Blind (chip 5)

Orders: Move to road on right of Helmstedt
Move to right and spotted

Place figures on the table
Move 4 – French - 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt

Fire on enemy square (roll 5) 1 hit

Square test morale (roll 5) fail, Shaken

Move 5 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders : Halt

Await further orders from CinC

Move squares back out of artillery range

Move 6 – French – CinC

Change orders for 4 corps

Move to 6 corps

Move 7 – Poor Card

Move 8 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : Halt

Await further orders from CinC

Fire on guns (roll 5) and miss

Move 9 – Prussian – reserve (chip 12)

Orders : Rally behind 1 corps

Move routine dragoons away from supports
Move hussars behind 1 corps

Test morale for dragoons (roll 1), fail, continue Rout

Test morale for hussars (roll 3), pass, become Disordered

Test morale for artillery (roll 4), fail, remain Shaken

Move 10 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Give move to 4 corps

Move 11 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : Engage Enemy

Move guns forward and unlimber

Move rear infantry forward

Move 12 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Fire on gun (roll 3) miss

Move infantry forward to road

Move 13 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : Engage Enemy

Fire on infantry (roll 9) 1 hit

Infantry test morale (roll 1) fail and Rout

6 brigades are within 8" and must test morale

2 fail and are shaken, 6 pass and are ok

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 3 corps are secure and in a good position to take advantage of the enemy disorganisation. However they are on Hold orders and must wait for new orders to advance.

Left Centre - French cavalry reserve are also ready to attack, but again must wait for new orders from the CinC. The Prussians have withdrawn out of range of the artillery, and again they need new orders to advance.

Right centre - 13 corps were in reserve behind 4 corps. One brigade routed into them, causing a lot of disorder, fortunately none of them joined the rout

French right - 6 corps is also in a strong position on the right flank. The Prussian corps opposite them is very slow to advance. The CinC has just joined them, so perhaps they are about to receive new orders?


SUMMARY OF MOVE 6
Prussian situation is improving
Recovering on the right flank, but still Shaken
Retreating in the centre, still awaiting orders
Advancing on the left and about to Engage

French are slow to react, still waiting for orders
Right flank secure
Centre waiting for orders to advance
Left flank waiting for orders to advance