Post
by PaulPatrick » Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:01 am
It was a great weekend.
As Napoleon,with my team,we decided on a plan to 'delay,hold & counterattack where possible', against a tsunami of huge Austrian/Russian battalions coming our way.
The Italian 5th Divison of Fontanelli was deployed to hold the villages of Dolitz & Dosen for as long as possible, whilst a second defensive line was being formed between Losing & Probstheida. Hopefully,a delaying action would enable Napoleon to bring up reserves for the counter attack. Murat began as the on field commander.
A heavy mist/fog did not help as Austrian & Russian forces crashed into the Italians without warning & eliminated our forward artillery without us firing a shot. The allies bypassed Dosen & assaulted 'Killer Colin' in Dolitz. Forced out of here,Colin & Roddy's Italians put up a good fight & delayed the allies.
On the rear French left at Probstheida Bill's Russian cavalry & horse artillery came out of the mist & destroyed another artillery battery without it firing a shot.
The Italians slowly retreated back towards the river bridge & bravely(foolishly) Murat galloped forward to rally Killer Colin's Italians.Despite fierce fighting the Italians were wiped out, but heroically Murat sped away from capture....yet died after being thrown off the bridge by his routing troops. Thus Colin goes into legend as the 'Killer of Colonels & Kings!'.
One of my biggest 'command decisions' was ( against the outcry of my sub-commander of the Young Guard,Roddy & the derision of Russian Gerry! ) was to put the Young Guard into garrisoning Losing. It was the right decision as wave after wave of Austrian regiments broke & routed against the rocks of the BUA & Young Guard.This cost the allies victory.
On the French left Russian Gerry plodded across the bog but failed to assault the Probstheida BUA.
It was on the left that the French elite veterans of 1/8 Leger battalion,Belair Brigade covered themselves in glory & achieved hero status. Despite being forced into square,£ed by horse artillery,they saw off 3 regts of Lancers,Cossacks & Uhlans. They finished the game with 9 out of 28 remaining but still managed to beat off a two regiment infantry attack. All will be inducted into the Old Guard. A stunning performance.
Yes, Bob did lose the Guard Grenadier Cavalry but Russian Gerry & Austrian Barry forget that his handling of the Imperial Guard Lancers on that flank was impeccable & blunted the rest of Bill's cavalry. He retains the Emperor's confidence! Viva Bob!
Barry handled the 'BUA/Bog' controversy with aplomb. When you are being heckled loudly for different interpretations,by Jim,Gerry,Bob & myself, you need to remain cool under fire & he did.
Historically Napoleon lost this battle but the game produced a draw. We still had formidable reserves to come....but I was happy with the outcome.
A great bunch of gamers & a great day of war gaming & craic.
Superb organisation by the 3 musketeers Barry,Bob & Gerry.
Until the next time, adelante! Paul