Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Demo Game - Move 3



The Prussian army in review order prior to the battle.



THE BATTLE SO FAR

Blucher is very pleased with his right flank

The cavalry reserve are in position to charge, but need new orders

1 corps (his best commander) is well placed to support them

His centre is well placed to pin the enemy, and support when necessary

His left flank is slow, but capable of pinning the enemy


THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps and cavalry reserve will advance on right flank

2 and 3 corps will advance in centre but await developments

4 corps will advance on left as far as broken ground

His intention is to attack with his right

Exploit any success with his centre

Hold with his left



PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE


Left - 4 Prussian corps advance through the broken ground towards the French blind holding the T junction. The cavalry on the right are from 3 corps.


Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left, and 2 corps on the right, advance towards Helmstedt. The town is held by 4 French corps, with one French blind in reserve. Another blind has advanced to the left of the town, but has not yet been spotted.


Right - 1 Prussian corps is advancing in support of the cavalry. The second brigade from the left has received one casualty. The reserve cavalry are within charge move of 5 French corps, and their artillery has limbered to move up in their support


BATTLE REPORT


Move 1 – French – 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Out of artillery range

Extend right of town

Move 2 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and hit enemy guns, who make morale

Move reserve infantry forward

Move 3 – French - Blind (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank
Stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 4 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on left of main road

Move cavalry forward to spot

Move infantry towards Helmstedt

Move 5 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Artillery fire and hit infantry, who make morale

Infantry on left withdraw, but remain in line

Move 6 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Change orders of blind 6

Moves to join 5 corps on French left

Move 7 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : Move to forward edge of broken ground

Move forward into broken ground and spotted

Put figures on table
Move 8 – Prussian - reserve (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Cavalry deploy into two lines and move forward

Artillery limber and move forward in support

Note: orders to attack arrive after their move phase

Move 9 – Poor Card

Move 10 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on right of main road

Move cavalry back out of artillery range

Move infantry forward towards Helmstedt

Move 11 – French – Blind (chip 6)

Orders:: Move to road right of Helmstedt
Move forward

Not spotted

Move 12 – French – blind (chip 5)

Orders: Move to Helmstedt
Move up behind Helmstedt

Not spotted

Move 13 – Prussian – CinC (chip 12)

Move to right flank

Change reserve cavalry orders to Attack



PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE


Left - 5 French corps is deployed in line, except for one brigade on the right who are in square. Their cavalry brigade is on the left, opposed to the approaching Prussian cavalry. Their artillery has received one casualty.


Centre - 4 French corps are in and either side of Helmstedt, with their artillery on the left. There is one French blind to their left, and another in reserve behind the town.

Right - A French blind is deployed either side of the T junction. 3 Prussian corps is approaching directly against them, and 2 Prussian corps on the left.


SUMMARY OF MOVE 3

Blucher is very pleased with developments

His left is keeping the enemy pinned, and advancing slowly

His centre is advancing slowly, but unable to spot enemy

His right is well placed to attack, but orders arrived too late this move.

His intention is to attack on his right and support with his centre





Tuesday, 19 May 2009

Demo Game - Move 2


2 Prussian corps advance past a village as they approach Helmstedt. One brigade on the left has already received one casualty.


THE BATTLE SO FAR

Blucher is concerned that both commands on his right have been spotted

The French are now aware that he has the bulk of his cavalry on his right flank

He is also concerned that there are three sets of blinds, against his two, in the centre

There are at least two, and possibly three, French corps holding the centre.

He is satisfied with progress on his left, and content to remain hidden

Despite this he is content to continue to probe with his right, and attack if given a good opportunity.



THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps and cavalry reserve will advance on right flank

2 and 3 corps will advance in centre but await developments

4 corps will advance on left as far as broken ground

His intention is to attack with his right

Exploit any success with his centre

Hold with his left


PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE


Left - Prussian CinC is keeping an eye on 4 corps as they pass between the rough ground towards the French blind at the T junction.


Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left, and 4 corps on the right, advance towards Helmstedt. The town is held by 2 French corps, with two French blinds in reserve behind the town


Right - 1 Prussian corps on the left, and the cavalry reserve on the right, advance against 3 French corps, who hold the French left flank.


BATTLE REPORT


Move 1 – French - blind (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank

Remain stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 2 – French - blind (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Extend and spotted
Put figures on table
Move 3 – Prussian - CinC (chip 7)

Stationary this move
Remain on left flank to keep an eye on his Poor commander

Move 4 - French - 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Artillery fire and miss

Move 5 – French - Blind (chip 5)

Orders: Hold in reserve
Remain stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 6 – Poor Card

Move 7 – Prussian - Blind (chip 9)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on right of main road

Extend and spotted

Put figures on table
Send cavalry forward to spot enemy

Move 8 – French - CinC (chip 1)

Remain stationary this move

With French reserve

Move 9 – Prussian - 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on left of main road

Extend and spotted

Put figures on the table
Move 10 – 4 Prussian - 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : move to far side of broken ground

Miss move because Poor card still in play

Move 11 – Prussian - 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and miss

Infantry advance

Move 12 – Prussian - reserve (chip 12)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and miss

Cavalry advance

Move 13 – French - blind (chip 6)

Orders: Hold in reserve

Remain stationary this move

Not spotted


SUMMARY OF MOVE 2

Blucher has made a bad mistake in not being attached to his Poor corps

As a result his left flank has not advanced this move.

He is still concerned that he is unable to spot the enemy reserves in the centre.

He is very pleased with his right flank.

His cavalry reserve are within charge move of the enemy, but still on move orders

He will have to change their orders next move.






Monday, 18 May 2009

Demo Game - Move 1



French infantry in and either side of Helmstedt, artillery on right. French reserve, still on blind, behind the town.



THE PRUSSIAN PLAN


Blucher has created a cavalry reserve as follows:

hussar brigade from 1 corps

dragoon brigade from 4 corps

artillery from 2 corps (which now becomes horse artillery)


His has deployed his corps as follows;

1 corps (chip 8) – gifted commander - right flank

2 corps (chip 9) – average commander - centre right

3 corps (chip 10) – average commander - centre left

4 corps (chip 11) – poor commander - left flank

Reserve (chip 12) – average commander - far right flank


His plan of battle is as follows:

1 corps and cavalry reserve will advance on right flank

2 and 3 corps will advance in centre but await developments

4 corps will advance on left as far as broken ground

His intention is to attack with his right

Exploit any success with his centre

Hold with his left


PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE


Left - 4 Prussian corps (still on blind) advance towards T junction, which is held by French blind. Prussian CinC keeping an eye on 4 corps commander.


Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left, and 3 Prussian corps on the right, advance towards Helmtedt. There is one French blind in and around the town, and two in support behind.


Right - 1 Prussian corps on the left, and Prussian reserve cavalry on the right, advance towards Wolfsburg road, which is held by 3 French corps.




BATTLE REPORT


1 – French – Blind (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank

Extend blind

Not spotted

2 – Prussian – Blind (9)

Orders: Move to Helmstedt

Advance and extend blind

Not spotted

3 – French – Blind (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank

Extend blind

Spotted and put figures on table

Move cavalry to cover left flank

4 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Stationary this move

Remain with reserve

5 – Prussian – Blind (chip 11)

Orders: Move to broken ground

Advance on blind and extend

Not spotted

6 – Prussian – Blind (chip 8)

Orders: Move to Wolfsburg road

Advance and extend

Spotted put figures on table

7 – French – Blind (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt

Extend

Note spotted

8 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Near to 4 corps

Stationary this move

9 – Prussian – Blind (chip 12)

Orders: Move to Wolfsburg road

Extend and advance

Spotted put figures on table

10 – French – Blind (chip 5)

Orders: Hold in reserve

Stationary this move

Not spotted

11 – Poor card

12 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Stationary this move

Close to reserve

13 – Prussian – Blind (chip 10)

Orders: Move to Helmstedt



SUMMARY OF MOVE 1


Blucher is concerned that both commands on his right have been spotted

The French are now aware that he has the bulk of his cavalry on his right flank

He is also concerned that there are three sets of blinds, against his two, in the centre

There is at least two, and possibly three, French corps holding the centre.

He is satisfied with progress on his left, and content to remain hidden

Despite this he is content to continue to probe with his right, and attack if given a good opportunity.






Sunday, 17 May 2009

Demo Game - Set Up

Tactical Map 14 May 1813




French
Marshal Davout has abandoned any attempt to hold Magdeburg or the river Elbe. He has ordered his army to concentrate around Helmstedt in a final attempt to stop the Prussian advance and hold Hannover.

Prussian
Prince Blucher has achieved all of his campaign objectives by taking Magdeburg and securing the line of the river Elbe. He is reluctant to allow the French time to recover from their series of defeats, and is determined to follow up his advantage by an advance on Hannover.


Wargame Table
The table consists of map squares (left) A4, A5, A6, (centre) B4, B5, B5 and (Right) C4, C5, C6

Table at start of game, seen from same direction as tactical map. Helmstedt is in the middle of the table. French are deployed on blinds. Prussians will enter from the right on blinds. There is one French blind below the town, one in the town and two behind, and one above the town.


Game Objective
1 - hold Helmstedt (B5)
2 - hold main road running right to left to right
3 - hold most squares at the end of move 12


Second French Army - Marshal Davout

Class Average

Fire Poor

Skirmish Good





CinC Average +2


4 French Corps Gifted +3

13 Infantry Brigade CA FB SA

14 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

15 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

16 Infantry Brigade CC FC SB

11 Cavalry Brigade CA Light

Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder

5 French Corps Average +2

17 Infantry Brigade CA FB SA

18 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

19 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

20 Infantry Brigade CC FC SB

3 Cavalry Brigade CB Medium

Corps Artillery CB 9pounder

6 French Corps Average +2

21 Infantry Brigade CA FB SA

22 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

23 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

24 Infantry Brigade CC FC SB

5 Cavalry Brigade CC Heavy

Corps Artillery CB 9 pounder

13 Polish Corps Poor +1
1 Infantry Brigade CA FA SA

2 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

3 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

4 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

13 Cavalry Brigade CB Light

Corps Artillery CC 9 pounder

Reserve Average +1




Prussian Army Prince Blucher

Class Average

Fire Average

Skirmish Average





CinC Average +2


1 Corps Gifted +3

1 Infantry Brigade CA FA SB

2 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

3 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

4 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

1 Cavalry Brigade CA Light

1 Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder

2 Corps Average +2

5 Infantry Brigade CA FA SB

6 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

7 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

8 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

2 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy

2 Corps Artillery CA 9 pounder

3 Corps Average +2

9 Infantry Brigade CA FA SB

10 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

11 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

12 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

3 Cavalry Brigade CC Light

3 Corps Artillery CB 9 pounder

4 Corps Poor +1

13 Infantry Brigade CA FA SB

14 Infantry Brigade CB FB SA

15 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

16 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

4 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy

4 Corps Artillery CC 9 pounder

Reserve Average +1



Game Notes

Players may rearrange corps prior to battle

Players may create a reserve of cavalry or artillery prior to battle

Reserve is formed by removing brigades or artillery from corps

French army will be on table at start of battle and fully deployed