Siege Relief on the NWF

Kevin hosted a birthday game set in one of his favorite time periods using one of his favorite rules.  The game was set in the NWF using Kevin's Fast Play TSATF.

When I arrived, I was immediately struck by the massive scale of the terrain to which we would be battling today.  The game was to be played across three separate, mountainous tables.  Each table consisted of an interesting mix of mountains and valley floors.

Board 1 in the river valley

Middle (Board 2)

Board 3 - Citadel

Today's objective centered on a British relief force marching through the mountain passes to reach and then relieve their compatriots holed up in a citadel currently under siege.  The relief force would have to cross two mountainous boards before arriving at the foot of the citadel on Board 3.

Enjoy the photo journal of the game.

Sepoys approach the the ford.
Once across, Brits will be in hostile territory.

Regulars follow up in close support

With the ford negotiated, opposition is driven
 back into the mountain pass

Regulars cross the ford with guns

British regulars take the lead as the
relief force descends from the pass onto Board 2.

Besiegers must send troops to block relief columns

Behind the lines view of Scott's painting handiwork

The natives were unable to stop the relieving force and the British column marched to victory.

Great game, Kevin, and marvelous mountain terrain!

Battle of Raab 11:30-12:00

Seras' infantry assault the church

Eugene's HQ 1130am:
As Eugene monitors the positioning of Seras' division for assault against the church from afar, an ADC from Montbrun arrives. He hands Eugene a note:

10:40 Montbrun in action at Upper Bridge
Sire, we have suffered heavy casualties in our attempt to clear a bridgehead across the Pancza.  Both my horse battery and 2 CaC have been rendered hors de combat with the 7th hard pressed. I will continue until no longer feasible.

Colbert having difficulty finding suitable means across the brook. My ADC will pass through Grouchy's HQ on way to your HQ to request support. Release of Grouchy's heavy horse would be beneficial. Your humble servant, Montbrun

After finishing, Eugene looks up at Montbrun's ADC. The ADC says,

Sire, I passed through Grouchy's HQ at 1100. Although in reserve, Grouchy is prepared to support Montbrun based on his understanding of your orders to use initiative to support success. However, the general sees no breakthrough at present. I pressed upon him the urgency of his brigade's support. Grouchy confirmed he would respond by moving upon the bridge. Would you like me to deliver a more direct order to Grouchy on my way back to Montbrun?

Orders are written and as Montbrun's ADC leaves, Eugene's attention turns back to the large Austrian formations advancing down from the Szabadhegy Heights and Sera's attack on the church. One of his staff sees Eugene's concern and states,

Sire, I saw a similar maneuver by the Russians at Austerlitz when they crossed the Pratzen and descended to attack Telnitz. Perhaps, the Austrians have forgotten that lesson?

Out on the French right all French cavalry swarming around the Upper Bridge rally except for 2/20 CaC.  Grouchy remains inert.  Montbrun, on the west bank of the Pancza, is content to lick his wounds from the battering his command has taken.

The majority of Colbert's light cavalry brigade is now safely on the east bank of the Pancza.  With only a cavalry screen protecting much of ex-Gosztony's cavalry struggling to recover, Colbert launches an attack against Gosztony's former brigade.  While the 2/20th CaC, 1/7th CaC, and the 1/9 Hussars set their sights on the Austrian defensive cavalry screen directly to the east of the bridge, the 1/20th CaC charge head long against Hadik's guns.  Why go in against the guns?  Hadik's cavalry battery has thus far been ineffective and Colbert wanted to protect his main attack from a potential galling, enfilade fire. 

Colbert attacks!

Unfortunately for the French chasseurs, the guns find their target and blast the French horsemen apart.  The few troopers unscathed by the devastating eruption scatter back across the brook.

In rapid succession, the main French cavalry attack goes in.  Not wishing to be caught standing, the Austrian light horse counterattack.  

Cavalry clash

The first of the three French cavalry to strike is the 1/7 CaC.  In the clash with the Pesther Insurrectio, the chasseurs are disordered but neither back down as blades swing overhead and the clash of steel can be heard.

While the 1/7 CaC and Pesther are locked in mortal combat, the French 1/9 Hussars and 1/5 Ott Hussars clash.  The 9th Hussars quickly gain the upper hand and drive off the Austrian hussars. 

In the final engagement, the disordered 2/20th CaC crashes into the 1/Bacser Insurrectio.  Never able to recover from disorder, the French go in at a disadvantage and are dealt cruelly by the Hungarians.  The chasseurs are shaken, lose about half their men to capture and retreat back across the brook.   

Out of three cavalry attacks, French are clearly victorious in one, the Austrians victorious in another, and the third still to be decided.

In the action with the 1/7 CaC against the Pesther Insurrectio, the French finally gain supremacy and drive off the Hungarians.  Exhausted from the prolonged battle, many of the Insurrectio lay down their arms.  Those not surrendering fall back to the east to join the bulk of their fleeing brigade.  With prisoners in tow, the French fall back to reform on the west bank of the Pancza.

Aftermath of Colbert's charge

Colbert, having witnessed the destruction of the 1/20 CaC and his occupation of the bridgehead evaporate as the number of demoralized cavalry formations rises, panics and orders a withdrawal of his command back to the west bank of the brook.

Grosztony's old command, still unsettled by the loss of its leader and its rear-guard cavalry screen scattered, retrogrades away from the Upper Bridge.  More Austrian and Hungarian cavalry stream towards the rear.  With Mescery personally intervening, perhaps ex-Grozstony will find the will to stop and reform? 

Cavalry positions on the Austrian left
after Colbert's attack

In the French center, Durutte crosses the Pancza in preparation for an assault on Kis-Megyer.  Lutz' battery opens up on the advancing French and disorders the 1/62 Line.

Austrian center viewed from behind Austrian lines

Durutte advance s on Kis-Megyer

Seras, on Durutte's right, assaults the church.  To provide protection from Austrian cavalry for the French attack, the 1st Leger climbs out of the Pancza and forms square.  Going in against the Insurrection infantry on the church heights is the 1/106 Line with the 2/106 and 1/53 Line in support.

Seras assaults the church

Protected by the church defenses and aided by holding the high ground, the Insurrectio militia repulse the seemingly overwhelming French attack as the 106 breaks against the church walls.  The French 1/106 takes 25% casualties including a number lost to capture as it reels back down the hill, shaken.  Supporting French infantry are disordered as the 1/106 passes back through their ranks.  Even with the initial setback, Seras coolly vows to press on.  

French 1/106  attack repulsed

Much of Mescery's Austrian cavalry shakes off ex-Gosztony's panicked withdrawal and attempts to rally. Despite many of the cavalry formations still disordered, Mescery reforms his brigade to more adequately cover the Upper Bridge and calm is restored.  The only cavalry not participating in the cavalry reformation are the green Insurrectio that are demoralized.  Once demoralized, Insurrectio cannot recover and are lost for the remainder of the battle.  With both Colbert and Montbrun currently unable to respond, Mescery has time to reform uninterrupted.

Austrian cavalry reform

French guns finally find the range.  Grouchy's horse artillery rips through Westprimer Insurrectio cavalry causing significant casualties and disordering it.  Against the lower section of Kis-Megyer, Durutte's battery manages to disorder the Vienna Landwehr taking refuge among the walls.  Softening up an enemy strong point is a good policy before an assault.

On the Szabadhegy Heights, the council of war between Archduke Johan and Frimont continues.  Leaving the churchyard only minutes before Seras' attack, the Archduke meets Frimont on the western slopes of the heights and orders him to reinforce the Insurrectio troops defending the church.  Actually, the order is not so much to defend the church but to drive Seras back across the brook.  Frimont accepts these orders and sends Kienmeyer on his way.

Kienmeyer counterattacks

Out in front of Kienmeyer's main body, first to contact the French between Kis-Megyer and the church are the 9th Jagers.  Although only at about half strength, the well-trained veterans do not hesitate to dive into a close range firefight against the already disordered French.  Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, the disordered 2/106 is surprised by jagers.  The French 106th becomes demoralized as it falls back across the Pancza.  A number of French are captured before they can make good their escape.

2/106 Line retreats back across the Pancza

As the 2/106th passes through the already disordered 35/42 Line, the 35/42 becomes shaken as the jagers bear down on them.  Suffering the same fate as their compatriots, the 35/42 retreats back across the Pancza, demoralized.  Many panicked Frenchmen are captured before they can make the safety of the opposite bank.  Now, only 1/53rd Line holds tenuously to the east bank of the brook.

Jagers drive French back across Pancza

Despite the setbacks in his initial assault against the church, Seras does not panic.  As an ADC from Seras arrives at French HQ at 12:00, Eugene looks up to see Grouchy's heavy cavalry brigade stirring into motion.

At the Upper Bridge, the Austrians under Mescery still control the crossing.  With Montbrun severely handled, only Colbert can pull together enough might to launch another attack.  Having panicked, orders will be needed to prompt Colbert back onto the offensive.

In the center, the church proved more formidable than Seras had first estimated.  Much of his command went streaming for the rear when surprised by the well-handled jagers.  Without much permanent harm caused by the setback, Seras will likely try again.

Positions 12:00

All along the front, the Archduke has experienced very good luck on the battlefield.  Can this good fortune continue?

State of the Painting Desk

WiP on the painting desk

With house guests over the weekend, the painting desk experienced a drop off in activity (as in none).  Progress was seen earlier in the week, though.  The resolution of the Battle of Raab, which has recently begun raging across the gaming table, has been slowed by guests too.

On the painting desk are an assortment of units from three different projects.  Nearing completion are 12 French cavalry for the 15mm 1799 Suvorov project, 12 Austrian Uhlans and 12 Sardinian Bersaglieri for the 15mm 1859 Risorgimento project, and 96 Roman infantry for the 6mm Punic Wars project.  All of the 15mm figures are Lancashire Games' figures and represent my first close look at Lancashire cavalry.  The 15s should be ready for basing and completed this week with individual reviews to follow.

French battle cavalry from the early Napoleonic Wars

Returning to the topic of house guests, I am often a little uneasy about having to explain my hobby to strangers.  Why?  That is a good question.  Anyway, this unease is magnified when the guest is a work colleague of my wife to whom I have no relationship.  How would I explain this to her and her husband?  Of course, sometimes it can be avoided but not when the primary guest quarters are reached by passing through the game room.  When a battle is out on the table, that is a distraction hard to miss.

In this instance, however, I was quite in luck.  As I brought their luggage downstairs and through the game room, we paused to discuss what exactly they were seeing.  Turns out, he has an interest in history and game theory.  How about that?

After discussions on history, game theory, probability, and game design, I suggested we have a go with an introductory game of Commands & Colors: Ancients to illustrate some of these points.  He agreed and I set up the game as I explained the rules.  The Battle of Cannae was chosen as the battlefield is featureless and no elephants are present.  I took the Romans and we began.  After about an hour of instruction and play, I found myself on the losing end of a lopsided 7-2 defeat.  Ouch!

Battle of Raab 11:00-11:30

Austrian grenadiers step off in support

French HQ 1100:

As Eugene strains to see what is transpiring out on his right flank at the Upper Bridge, a courier arrives from Seras.  He unfolds the message and begins to read,

1030:  Sire, my division has reached the Pancza and has begun a probe on the east bank. Kis-Megyer heavily garrisoned and formidable but church held only by Hungarian militia and isolated from support.  Church should fall without committing the entire division.

Eugene finishes reading the missive, provides additional instructions for Seras and sends the ADC back to his division.  A second order is quickly dashed off to Durutte's division and a courier is released to deliver his instructions.

He mounts his horse for a better vantage point but still cannot make out the results of the clash on his far right.  Grouchy's heavy cavalry brigade remains motionless as Durutte's division steps off towards the Kis-Megyer farm.

Turning to his ADC, Eugene states,

If Montbrun and Colbert required support, certainly Grouchy would respond, no?

Troop dispositions 1100

At the Austrian HQ in the churchyard to the southeast of the Kis-Megyer farm, FML Colloredo turns to the Archduke and says,

Your Excellency, Mescery has thrown the French back across the Pancza and appears to be exploiting fortune! Our fine troopers bent but did not break!

With Seras' division bearing down on our positions, brave Marziani will not be able to resist for long. 

While the Archduke continues listening to Colloredo's assessments and suggestions, the conversation is overwhelmed by the sound of musketry along the Pancza as the French probing action expands into more than a probe.

Seras probes Austrian center

With a directive from the Archduke, Colloredo mounts his horse and sets off in search of Lutz.  Before riding away, he turns back to the Archduke and says,

The militia defending the churchyard may not withstand such an overwhelming assault.  May I humbly suggest you head to higher ground up on the Szabadhegy Heights before the church is overrun?

Opposite the church, Seras' division crosses the Pancza bearing down on the Archduke's position and begins threatening the church, itself.  Heeding Colloredo's advice, Johan climbs the heights in search of Frimont and for troops to stiffen this flank.

Seras crosses Pancza in force

Out on the French right, Montbrun attaches himself to the 2/7 Hussars who find themselves precariously clinging to the bridgehead on the east bank of the Pancza.  The demoralized hussars' morale only improves moderately despite the general's inspiration.  On the west bank, 1/7 Hussars rally and navigate across the brook to join its sister squadrons on the east bank.  Montbrun's remaining cavalry, the 1st Chasseurs cannot find a suitable path across the brook.

French cavalry expand bridgehead

With Montbrun busily putting his brigade back together all the while peppered by the ineffective fire from Hadik's battery, the responsibility of expanding the bridgehead falls to Colbert.  While the bulk of Colbert's command searches for a ford across the steep banks of the Pancza, the 1/7 Chasseurs clash with the over-extended Insurrection cavalry at the bridge.

French chasseurs counterattack

Disordered from their earlier success at the bridge, the Insurrection cavalry cannot withstand the impact from the French light cavalry and tumble back from the bridge.  With their retreat path partially blocked, the Insurrectio become demoralized as they rout.  Many Hungarian troopers are captured in the rush.  In the clash, Gosztony is injured but is rescued and carried from the field.

Insurrectio cavalry rout

Having lost its commander in the rout back from the Upper Bridge, Gosztony's brigade panics.  Gosztony's entire command melts away to the east.

Gosztony falls and brigade panics!

With Gosztony's brigade put to flight and Hadik's brigade faring not much better, Andrasy launches attacks against both the Upper Bridge and the French near the church in hope of stabilizing the situation and buying a little time.

Andrasy counterattacks

To stem the tide of fleeing cavalry, Hadik joins Heves Insurrectio while Mescery hurries back to halt the flight of Gosztony's brigade.  The 1/5 Hussars, 2/Pesther Insurrectio, and 1/Bacser Insurrectio rally and redeploy in a way that covers the retreat of the remainder of Gosztony's wavering brigade.  

Gosztony's troops rally to cover retreat

From Andrasy's cavalry brigade, the 2/2 Hussars lead the Eisenberg Insurrectio cavalry into the 1st Legere as it clears the Pancza.  Surprised by the sudden appearance of Austrian cavalry on an exposed flank, the legere withdraw back into the safety of the stream banks.  Not wishing to pursue into the brook, the Austrian cavalry break off and return to their lines, disordered.

In an attack on the precariously held bridgehead, the 1/2 Hussars, with Odenburger Insurrectio cavalry in support, pass in front of Grouchy's light horse artillery deployed along the banks of the Pancza.  Grouchy's guns are ineffective as the Austrian light cavalry charge home.  Their target; the 1/7 Hussars that are reforming in the bridgehead.

French 1/7  Hussars destroyed

Caught reforming, the French cavalry has little chance.  Already weakened in numbers, the 1/7 Hussar Regiment is destroyed.  Momentum carries the Austrian horse into the 2/7 Hussars in which Montbrun is attempting to rally.  The 2/7 narrowly avoids the same fate as its brethren.  A large number of the demoralized French troopers are captured as the hussars retreat back across the brook.

French 2/7 Hussars falter

Finally, Zemplin's Insurrectio cavalry contacts the disordered 1/20 CaC at the bridge.  Even disordered, the French are able to repulse the Hungarian troopers.  The Insurrectio falls back leaving many of its comrades dead on the field.

Zemplin's Insurrectio repulsed at bridge

Frimont, waiting in reserve, sees the threat to Marziani and acts under his own initiative to set Kienmeyer's division into motion.  Also brought up are the two 12 lb Reserve batteries as the Archduke reaches Frimont on the heights.

Kienmeyer comes up in support

Due to losses, both Hadik and Montbrun are forced to make panic tests.  Both cavalry commanders hold up to the pressure but Montbrun just avoids panicking.

Battlefield from Austrian left

That was an action-packed half hour!  On the French right at the Upper Bridge, the situation is still very much in doubt.  With charge and countercharge the Upper Bridge has become a very dangerous place on the battlefield.  Luckily for the French, Hadik's battery has been ineffective.  The green, insurrection cavalry cannot win a battle of attrition with the French.  In the center, Seras has cleared the brook and fighting there will likely escalate.  With Seras' threat, Johan has had to commit his reserve early in the battle to shore up his defenses.

Will ex-Gosztony's brigade be able to sort itself out and return to action before the battle on that wing is decided?  Montbrun's command is quite spent and may not be able to sustain any additional offensive action.  Until Montbrun panics or his objective is fulfilled, his orders will remain in effect.

15mm French for the 1859 Campaign

A second French regiment of 3 x 12 battalions march off the painting desk.  Like their comrades mustering out earlier this month, these lads are Lancashire Games' figures and flagged as the 96th Line.

Being egalitarian, all French line regiments look the same.  No regimental colored trim to distinguish one regiment from the other.  The only differentiating item is their regimental flag. 

As before, I am very pleased with the Lancashire Games' range of 19th Century figures.  More are in the painting queue.  In fact, a triplet of Lancashire Games' figures are on the painting table now.  Two units are assembled for the 1859 project and one French heavy cavalry unit for the 1799 project.

Battle of Raab - 1000-1100

Seras probes Austrian positions

Two volunteers stepped forward to take command of the two armies at Raab.  While the game will be conducted as a solo adventure, each non-player commander will issue orders to their respective commands.  For a solo replay, having pre-programmed orders for troop movements and reactions set a more objective tone to the game.  Of course, as the "Hand of God" in this replay, I will attempt to carry out non-players intentions. 

With orders in place, let the game begin!

The battle opens with the two battle lines facing off.  Eugene sets the French right into motion.  Two French light cavalry brigades under Montbrun and Colbert strike off for the Upper Bridge spanning the Pancza Brook.  Grouchy's heavy cavalry brigade, for now, remains in reserve.  On Grouchy's left, Seras' division steps off towards the Austrian positions defending the brook.  The remainder of Eugene's army awaits orders with little activity outside of the division guns being brought up ahead of the main battle line.

French general advance on the right

Montbrun, with the 2nd Chasseurs a Cheval (CaC) in the van, makes a dash for the bridge and begins to cross.  On his right, Colbert's light cavalry reaches the banks of the Pancza and searches for a suitable place to cross.

French light cavalry force a crossing

With French light cavalry pressing on the Austrian left, Mescery redeploys his vast cavalry wing to better defend the Upper Bridge.  While large in number, Mescery's horsemen, spread across three brigades, are comprised largely of Insurrection cavalry of suspect battleworthiness.  Most of Mescery's troopers are green with only a few Austrian regular hussars.  Hadik's cavalry guns open the battle with fire against the 2nd CaC with no noticeable effect.

View of the Austrian left

Showdown at the Upper Bridge

Austrian hussars lay in wait

Of Colbert's command, only the 1/20 CaC and 2/9 Hussars manage to negotiate a crossing of the treacherous Pancza.  Both formations come up out of the ravine in disorder.

As the 2 CaC crosses over to the east bank of the brook via the bridge, Hadik's guns open up and insurrection cavalry counter.  Before the Hungarian cavalry can close, Hadik's battery does its work efficiently.  The 2 CaC takes heavy casualties and becomes shaken.

First clash!

In the following clash of steel, the weakened French light horse is scattered but not before getting in a few licks on the insurrection horse.  Zemplin's Insurrection cavalry breaks off to recover.

Next to attempt the crossing is the 2/7 Hussars.  As the 2 CaC before, the 2/7 reaches the east bank of the brook and, in turn, is countered by Insurrection cavalry.  Without artillery fire to soften the French cavalry, the hussars cut a swath clear through the Hungarian horse and crash into the supporting 2nd Heves Insurrection cavalry.

2/7 Hussars attempt a crossing

2/7 Hussars breakthrough

The 2nd Heves becomes shaken in the impact and falls back in disorder.  The 2/7 Hussars breaks off and recollects back at the banks of the Pancza, shaken from its exertions.

With no respite to collect itself, the 1st Heves Insurrection cavalry is passed through by the 1/7 Hussars as it clears the Upper Bridge.  Having been cut through a second time the swirling masses of Hungarian horse become shaken as they wonder what has hit them.

1/7 Hussars attempt a crossing

Overrunning the Hungarians at the bridge, the French hussars plunge on to contact a supporting Hungarian cavalry formation.  Surprised by their sudden position on the front line, the Insurrection cavalry quickly succumb and fall back as many of their comrades lay down their arms.

French hussars overrun the hapless Hungarian cavalry

Disorganized from their successes, the French hussars break off and regroup back at the banks of the Pancza.

With French cavalry holding the bridgehead in disorder, Gosztony launches a powerful counterattack in an attempt to denude the east bank of French horsemen.  As the shaken 1st Heves Insurrection scurries to the rear, Gosztony's large brigade descends upon the crossing.

Austrian counterattack

All French horse are caught against the banks of the brook as they are reforming from their earlier efforts.

The Clash!

In the clash of horseflesh and steel, the 2/9 Hussars tumbles back across the brook demoralized as their east bank compatriot, the 1/20 CaC repulses its attacker.  In the whirring fight, the 1/20 CaC becomes shaken while their adversary, 1/5 Ott Hussars breaks off the attack and returns to its lines.

With Grosztony attached, two waves of insurrection cavalry catch the French horse artillery limbered on the bridge.  The Hungarian horsemen capture the guns and continue, pell-mell, on across the bridge.

Insurrection cavalry take the guns

Finally, Pesther Insurrection cavalry plows into the already demoralized 1/7 Hussars as it reforms near the bridge.  A number of French hussars surrender with the remainder scattering back to the west bank of the Pancza to reform.  The momentum of the charge carries the Hungarians into the reforming 2/7 Hussars but the French, although now demoralized, stop the insurrection cavalry.  The Hungarians break off and fall back to reform.

2/7 Hussars halt the Hungarian horse

Hungarians driven off

After the whirlwind of cavalry clashes, the crossing at the Upper Bridge witnesses a flurry of cavalry attempting to reform and rally before the next wave comes crashing down.  The Hungarian cavalry in the zeal following the capture of Montbrun's artillery look dangerously overexposed to counterattack.  

French tenuously hold bridgehead

With the cavalry crescendo on the French right, Seras' infantry division reaches the banks of the Pancza and begins a probe at the foot of the Austrian held positions. 

Seras probes ahead

The dash across the Upper Bridge by Montbrun was a bold move that resulted in almost wrecking Hadik's purely Insurrectio command.  Montbrun's command did not fare much better, though.  Losing a battery of artillery may be sorely missed later.  Neither Hadik nor Montbrun panicked but both cavalry formations are badly battered.

One note regarding Green troops; once a green cavalry unit reaches a demoralized morale state, it can no longer recover.  Even in Shaken or Disordered state, Green troops may have difficulty rallying quickly.  Given that, French cavalry may be able to take punishment and recover while Mescery's mostly insurrection cavalry likely will find recovery very difficult.  

While the over zealous actions of Insurrectio cavalry to continue on across the bridge may appear quite foolhardy, it may actually provide Mescery the time to reform his cavalry before the French can clear the bridge.  This may be a worthwhile sacrifice.

From his vantage point on the church heights, Johan can see the action at the Upper Bridge.  Of course, Johan can also see Seras' division bearing down on his position!  Eugene, in the valley, only hears the clash a few miles to the south in the distance.