Halle Campaign – Day One

Campaign Map

French attack Mansfeld
4 French army – attack Mansfeld
5 French army – hold and resupply
6 French army – hold and resupply

Russian
1 Russian army – defend Mansfeld
2 Russian army – hold and resupply
3 Russian army – hold and resupply

Battle of Mansfield – Move 2

The campaign opens with a surprise French attack on the border town of Mansfield.

1st Russian army has one corps between the town and the border, their task is to observe the border and warn of any French movements. The CinC is in the town, with the other two corps either side of the town. It will take one move to inform the CinC and a further move to activate the two reserve corps. They will not move until the start of move 3.

10th French army arrive on the table at the start of move 1. The photograph shows their position at the end of move 2, just before the reserve Russian corps start to move.

2nd Russian corps put up a hard fight for the woods in the centre, including a determined counter attack. But the French beat them off and held the woods at nightfall.

10th French (young guard) corps were delayed by having to move over the hill on the right. This allowed 1st Russian corps to occupy the fortified farm before they could reach it. Marshal Davout combined the artillery from 10th and 11th corps, and supported the attack on the farm. The Russians were driven from the farm and forced to retreat behind the woods on the right.

3rd Russian and 12th French corps arrived at the hill on the left at the same time. Cavalry can cross a hill at half speed, but may not fight on it. Artillery can fire from the edge, but not redeploy. So the battle for the hill was an infantry one. The French had an initial advantage and the melee continued for three moves, but the elite Russian grenadier brigade finally drove off the French and held the hill at the end of the game.

Having taken two of the game objectives the French won the battle.

Comments

The delayed arrival of two of the three Russian corps worked really well, particularly on the right left where the infantry slogged it out for three moves. The Russian grenadier brigade arrived late, but turned the tide and secured the hill.

The battle in the centre was evenly balanced. The woods is relatively small, and could only hold one brigade. The French attack was supported by the grand battery, which allowed them to take the woods. But the area between the woods and the hill on the left was strongly held. The French had to advance to the right of the woods, however they were able to drive off the Russian counter attack on the woods.

10th young guard corps should have played a major role in the battle. However they had to advance over the hill on the right, and had to move at half rate until they had cleared the hill. So it was half way through the battle before they reached the fortified farm. Fortunately they were supported by the French grand battery, who forced the garrison to withdraw from the farm. Despite their late arrival they forced all of 1st Russian corps to withdraw behind the woods.

A very enjoyable first game.