Gaming Face-to-Face?

The panorama photo above was taken at the end of May on an afternoon downtown stroll.  The Spokane River was still high with a torrent of water spilling down the lower falls.  Three weeks later and the flow has reduced dramatically.

Gaming face-to-face (F2F), me?  Yep.  Although most of my gaming seems to revolve around the remote variety via zoom, I got in a F2F game yesterday.  Yeah, an unexpected surprise to me too.

The battle fought was a scenario from one of Michael Hopper's many Napoleonic scenario books.  This time, the battle selected came from Eagles Over Bavaria and the 1809 Reinhausen scenario.  Notice that I am listed as a playtester in this volume.  

The battle was a two-player affair in which I took command of the Austrian brigade facing an equally sized (but more flexible) French brigade.  Terry (the Assisted by fellow on the book cover) umpired.  The French were defending town sections on both sides of the Regen River.  Austrian task was to take the two town sections situated on the east bank of the river. 

Anyway, in less than two hours of play, my Austrians managed to quite handily demolish their French adversaries having destroyed six of their nine infantry battalions and an artillery battery.  Austrian losses?  Hmm. None! 

On the Stuff Recently Acquired front, this week saw a resupply of hexes from my favorite purveyor of wooden bits.  The box is more than two feet tall and stacked with hexes to expand both my four inch and five inch playing surfaces.

I also snagged a HUGE castle and keep from Vol at A Miniatures Hobby Room.  Vol even hand delivered the castle in two heavy boxes.  When Nancy saw the castle and I told her that Vol was downsizing his wargaming collection, she asked when do I plan to downsize.  I know.  Very funny question. 

Anyway, I imagine this behemoth may feature in either Reconquista or WotR games in the future.  As an added bonus, Vol is interested in gaming.  With his massive collection of warships from a variety of periods, I would not be surprised to see the gaming table transformed to open seas at some point.

Finally, this weekend features the annual three-on-three basketball tournament in my fair city.  Billed as the largest 3-on-3 tournament on earth with 6,000 teams on 450 courts, downtown will be packed with players and spectators throughout the weekend.  For this weekend, my cycling will need to divert around the downtown area as it will be virtually impassible.  A few photos taken before the storm.

Aspern-Essling and an Unhappy Bonapartist

The battle was reconvened Sunday morning to fight out the conclusion of the battle started the week prior.  In command of the Austrian left and poised to deflate the expansion of the French bridgehead across the Danube, I was eager to continue.

With one town block of Essling in Austrian hands, the Austrians are in position to challenge control of the second town block. Would the French present a defense of this real estate or withdraw before the hammer falls?  That decision may hinge on who takes the initiative.  With Napoleon present, the French hold the initiative and choose to move first. 

Austrian Left poised to drive in the French

By moving first, the French are able to begin a disengagement from both Aspern and Essling while trying to consolidate the exposed center.  On the French left, French forces contract back toward the bridge.  On the French right, defending brigades badly damaged in first assault against Essling fall back beyond the town.  Two brigades remain in garrison in an attempt to slow the Austrians.

Situation after Austrian movement

In the Austrian turn, three brigades converge upon Essling while the Austrian Reserve batteries and grenadiers advance to fill the gap between the two towns. Austrian cavalry press deep into the French positions before contacting French cavalry.  The French cavalry, still reeling from earlier efforts, are destroyed in the clash.  The path to the bridge lays open.

Austrian cavalry attack!

Austrian Reserve advances

With Austrian troops prepared to assault Essling, Napoleon can tolerate no more senseless killing.  Urged by his staff to seek safety on the far side of the Danube, Napoleon quits the field.  Victory to the Austrian Army!  The battle is over before it barely begins.

Assault on Essling

This day, there will be no happy Bonapartist.

An Unhappy Napoleon 

The conclusion of the game lasted less than 30 minutes after we began.  With a day of gaming planned, what is Plan B?  We decided to pull out Commands & Colors: Ancients and continue play with Scott's beautiful 28mm Punic Wars collection.  After a quick transition, troops were arrayed to refight Cannae.

To complete the gaming session, the Battle of Cannae was fought four times. The Carthaginians were victorious twice as were the Romans.  Cannae is a tough fight for the Romans but Scott managed to pull out two victories commanding the Romans.  Kevin and I each fell to defeat at the hands of Scott's Romans.  We vow to tackle Cannae again and see if Scott can be beaten by the Carthaginians.     

Take One Aspern...

The taking of Aspern

and call me in the morning. I know, I know...

Scott hosted an Age of Eagles (AoE) Napoleonic game but the battle remained nameless until we arrived.  When I entered the game room, below is the sight I saw:

He asked if I could guess the battle.  Trivial question.  Looked like Aspern-Essling to me.  Beautiful layout!

Kevin, ever the Francophile, wanted to command the French under Napoleon while Scott and I split the larger attacking Austrian army.  I took command of the Austrian left and Reserve while Scott commanded the Austrian right.  My focus would be on taking Essling.  Scott's goal was to take Aspern.  The French would receive reinforcements but not until Turn 8 of the battle.  Could Napoleon be pushed into the Danube before reinforcements arrive?  That was the Austrian goal and my hope.

Austrian Left poised to attack Essling

Austrian Right with sights on Aspern

While the Austrian Reserve awaits activation, the ponderous Austrian Army lurches into motion.  On the Austrian Left, the troops advance cautiously toward the stronghold of Essling.  Being Linear infantry under AoE, Austrians in line move slowly.  Very slowly.  

Austrians advance upon Essling

On the Austrian right, no time is lost.  Scott mounts an aggressive attack from the onset of battle.  Aspern and its French defenders are under pressure immediately.  The defenders hold a hot-hand early on in repelling their attackers but the weight of the enemy force is undeniable.

Initial assaults on Aspern

Soon, Austrians are attacking in depth and enveloping the well-defended town.  In rapid succession, block after block of the village falls to the White Menace.  Action is very hot on the Austrian right while the French positions are bending but not broken.  

French defense of Aspern collapses

Back on the Austrian left, progress is slow for my Austrian commands as they methodically advance upon Essling.  With their backs against the Danube and re-enforcements forced to enter over a sole bridge, the French will be in a pickle if Essling falls too soon.  My objective is to press on Essling and cut the French line of communications and its retreat.

Austrian left advances upon Essling

With three large Austrian battalions closing to within musketry range of Essling, the two Austrian battalions on the extreme left attack.  Softened by artillery fire, the French are pushed back.  The French battery on the road is driven off allowing for a bit of relief to the attackers. 

French right is pushed back

Casualties to the Austrians on the French right are light.  The Austrians opposite Essling are hesitant to assault without having first softened up the defenders.  Musketry is mostly ineffective against the walled defenders.  On the French far-right flank, the French defenders continue to fall back from the threat of the two Austrian battalions.  A French battery is over-run in a failed stand following a breakthrough charge.  A few French battalions are pushed back into the swamp.  With luck, the swamp will slow the pursuit of their attackers.  

French Right softens.

As the French right bends back, a second approach to Essling is unveiled.  With the added weight of two batteries finally in position to support the attack on Essling, the defenders begin to waver.  In the center between the two villages, French hussars attack.  Successful in their first clashes with the Austrian cuirassiers, the troopers are dealt a deadly blow and break back toward the river.  With three of four Aspern town blocks taken on the Austrian right, Scott, with hands clasped, watches on as the action around Essling heats up.   

With Aspern 3/4 taken,
Scott watches on to the action at Essling

Having finally disordered Essling's defenders, the Austrian attack!  With attacks all along this axis, the French are unable to be everywhere at once.  This may be a pivotal point in the battle.  If the French can be dislodged, one town sector may fall and the second may be in jeopardy.  Tension is high as melees for the town begin.

Austrian attack on Essling

Austrian fusiliers assault Essling

The wavering defenders can not withstand the determination of their attackers.  Both assaults against Essling succeed as the survivors clamber over debris to reach safety of the second Essling town block.  The French extreme right is driven back even farther into the swamp.  A second French battery is at significant risk of loss as it remains on the road outside of Essling.  The second Essling town block nears envelopment. 

One block of Essling falls

At this point in the action, we stopped for a lunch break.  We expected to return in the afternoon to complete the battle but the lure of participating in a trivia contest at the pub was too much.  The game will be fought to conclusion on Sunday.

Battle overview at end of gaming session

What about the current situation?  My sense is that the French are in real trouble.  While I have not seen Austrian casualties suffered in the assaults on Aspern, Austrian casualties on the left have been very light.  My recollection is that only two or three stands have been lost in taking all of this ground.  All units are still Fresh and able to dish-out and absorb punishment on an offensive.  When we reconvene, Game Turn 6 will begin.  French reinforcements arrive on Turn 8.  That leaves two turns to push the French back from Essling and cut the bridge.  Is this realistic?  I think it may be.  French units around Essling have suffered greatly.  When French reinforcements do arrive, they will be lucky to debouch from the swamp and out onto the Marchfeld unmolested.  

For a perspective from the Austrian right, see Scott's account at Game Day - Aspern Essling.

Highlanders for the Peninsula

Off the painting desk today are a baker's dozen Highlanders in 15mm from Campaign Game Miniatures (CGM).  While CGM French in bicorne have seen service in the 1799 project, these highlanders are the first infantry painted for my older, 15mm Napoleonic project covering the Empire period.  With so many other projects in work and a relatively stable Napoleonic Empire period project (i.e. I have more figures than I can use), more than three years have passed since I last added to this collection. 

I like the sculpting of the CGM figures very much.  Perhaps the quality is only slightly below that of AB.  Anatomy is a little odd in a few poses but overall superb figures.  I especially like the cavalry.  Some of the cavalry I prefer over AB.

This Regiment musters out as the 93rd.  The dip tended to dampen the color contrast on the kilts but the result is still pleasing.  From a distance the tartan pattern would meld together, anyway.  Nice figures!

Battle for Pratzen Heights

French elite batteries deal death from the Pratzeberg

To Christen his recently completed "Game Palace," Scott held a Napoleonic game to mark the occasion.  The MacPhee Game Palace is a beautiful addition to the existing residence.  Although housing a detached garage, the building offers a large play room for the kids and a fine gaming room on the lower level for the adults.  Well stocked with everything a gamer could need, this is a fine gaming venue.

Since the game was held on December 2, Scott picked a portion of the Battle of Austerlitz to commemorate the 212th anniversary of this famous battle.  Using the rules, General de Brigade, the action would recreate St. Hilaire's attack on the combined Austro-Russian forces as they fought for control of the Pratzeberg.

While Scott provided a mostly unbiased accounting of the battle at MacPhee's Miniature Men, I will provide an account from the perspective of the Austrian commander in whose role I took.

Initial deployment

The battle begins with a Russian column strung out as it marches to take the Pratzen Heights.  The objective of the 20 turn game is to be the last to occupy the Pratzen Heights.  While St. Hilaire's force is an elite formation with nary a line battalion, the Austro-Russian force is a large rabble.  The Austrians especially represent a poor force with most battalions being composed of conscripts.  With a poor command structure, the Allies have a tough job even though they outnumber the French.

When the battle opens, the long Russian column is committed to a march upon the Pratzeberg.  Even though the Pratzeberg objective is in hand with lead elements of the Russian column, the Austrian column commander, Kollowrath, wanted to send new orders to the Russians.  Although the Russian commander fails to respond to the Austrian's orders, he does make the change under his own initiative.

Fearing if he continues on his present course he will be defeated in detail by St. Hilaire before the Austrian conscripts can come up, the Russian 4th Column reverses course and begins retracing its steps.  Back across the valley they go and climb the heights from which they only recently passed.  

Russians reverse course

Perhaps ordering the Russians to retrace their steps was wise since the Austrian rabble has great difficulty in undertaking any action. 

Austrian rabble frozen in place

While St. Hilaire's French advance upon the Pratzeberg, the Russians deploy on the heights opposite the heights.  Only the French batteries make the climb up the Pratzeberg.  Russian guns, although inferior, score a few hits as the French guns unlimber under fire.  

Face off on the Russian left

Finally, the Austrian column steps off with a goal of applying pressure to the French left.  Although outclassed by a wide margin, the Austrians are hoping to apply enough pressure on the French left to prevent these elite troops from reinforcing the Pratzeberg.

Austrian infantry advance upon Pratzen.

The Austrian jagers are thrown forward to harass the French legere.  With the jagers screening the advance, the Austrian brigade on the far right passes through Pratzen while the other Austrian brigade bypasses the village to the south. 

Austrians reach Pratzen

Zoom in on the Austrian right

As casualties mount on the jagers in their attempt to screen the Austrian columns from deadly French musketry, artillery begin scoring a few hits.  Allied artillery fire is not as effective as expected with only one in three finding its mark.  

Artillery fire dominates the valley

Perhaps contrary to doctrine, the Russian guns focus on silencing the French guns while the French batteries adhere to doctrine and target the Russian infantry.  With only French guns deployed in isolation on the heights, the Russian guns have no alternative.  If French guns can be driven off, the Russian infantry may have a chance to cross the valley without threat of annihilation. 

Face-off on Russian left continues

French guns in isolation

After taking significant casualties but satisfied they have allowed the Austrian brigades to approach the French left, the jagers fall back through their troops.  Austrian guns continue their harassing fire upon the French lines.

Jagers fall back through Pratzen

Having found itself as the sole target of the large Russian battery, one of the French batteries routs from the heights after suffering more casualties than even elite gunners can manage.  On the French left, the Austrians form up within musketry range of the French legere and pin the French in place.

One French battery withdraws from the heights.

Sensing an opportunity with a French battery slipping off the heights and the reluctance of the French infantry to take its place, the Russians step off and descend the hill.  With only a few turns left in the contest, hopefully the Russians have timed their attack appropriately.

Russians finally advance on the Pratzeberg

Still, the French make no move to take the heights.  With that, the Russians make a general assault on the Pratzeberg.  With their guns masked, the Allied infantry is forced to engage the French without support.  The threat to the remaining French battery is too great.  It limbers and breaks for the rear.

Allies make a general advance

Having pushed the last French battery off the heights, the Russians are in control of the Pratzeberg.  In the confusion of close range musketry fire, the French brigade commander finds himself in Russian hands.  With its leadership temporarily absent, the French do not counterattack to retake the heights.

Russians crest the Pratzeberg

To ensure that the Pratzeberg remains in Russian hands, the Russian grenadiers coolly pass through its faltering brothers.  The Pratzeberg is ours!

Russians hold the Pratzeberg

With 20 turns in the books, the game concludes with an Allied victory.  Wow!  What a battle!  Even though the Allies outnumbered the French, the quality differential in both troop and leadership was daunting.  Compounding the difficult task the Allies faced, the French held the initiative throughout the game.  That meant French formations could both move and fire first each turn.  Ouch!

Had the French taken the Pratzeberg earlier, the Russians would have had great difficulty taking the position at the end.  A tight game to the end.  An Allied victory did not seem attainable at the beginning but pinning the French left with the mediocre Austrians worked in essentially splitting the battlefield into two distinct battles.  Allied casualties were heavy but victory was worth the expense.  Yes, this is the account of the action to be delivered back to headquarters.