Wargame Rules Review – First Wargame

Start of wargame

 

The only way to really test the rules is to play a full length wargame.

 

The two armies started off 18” apart; this was well out of maximum artillery range which is 12”.

 

Counter artillery fire should have been ineffective, as the firer needs a roll of 6 on 1D6.   12 pounder guns add plus 1, 6 pounder guns minus 1.   Two of the three Russian guns are 12 pdr, so they had a considerable advantage.   They put it to good use by causing 3 casualties to the French gunners.   This allowed the Russian guns to dominate the game.

In the north the Russian gunners prevented a frontal attack by the Polish corps.  Instead they had to concentrate on the farm, and failed to take it by nightfall

In the centre the French cavalry won the opening melee and allowed their infantry to take the woods and break the Russian centre.   We tested skirmish, musket and infantry melee rules, all worked well.   All gave a much faster and cleaner out come.

In the south the Vistula lancers lost their melee, but their artillery drove off the Russian cuirassiers.   The artillery was ineffective on the woods, and the fighting was mostly infantry skirmish and melee.  Again the rules worked well.

By the end of move 8 the Russians had lost 12 infantry and 4 cavalry, and five brigades were in rout.   The French had lost 2 infantry, 2 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties and had one brigade in rout.

With four moves still to go the French had clearly won the battle.   The Russians still held their right flank and the town.   But they had lost their centre and left flank.

It is still early days, but I am very pleased with this first game using the new rules.   They are much easier to remember, having only 1D2 instead of 2D6.   This does give extreme results with 1 or 6, but that is what I wanted to achieve.

It is also easier to rally shaken or routed brigades.   This is a good thing, because it allows the losing side to rally a second defensive line.   But in this particular game the Russian casualties were so much greater than the French that the winner was obvious.

Brigades defending farms or woods tended to do better than with my previous rules.   This was largely because it was so much easier to rally them when casualties were received.  It was also because Jan used her three elite grenadier brigades to hold the farm and both woods.   I only took them because I had taken care to position my best skirmish brigades to lead the attack.   In both wooded sections this worked.   However both elite defenders and most effective skirmishers took casualties.   So it will be interesting to see how both perform in the next game.   Both will retain at least 10% casualties, which will reduce the elite grenadiers to trained troops.  And the A class skirmish brigades will be reduced to B class.  

End of wargame 

The Russians hold at the top, but are in retreat in the centre and bottom

 

White stars indicate where fighting has taken place during the last two moves.  

Green stars indicate Russian brigades in rout

Blue stars indicate French brigades in rout

Wargame Rules Review – Build Up Areas

 

 

In my campaign wargames there are three types of build up area (BUA).

A city is four scenic squares

A town is two scenic squares

A village, farm or fortified building is one scenic square

Each scenic square contains one brigade of infantry.

All of the campaign games involve either a city or town, because that is always the campaign objective.   The BUA is always occupied with the defending army deployed either side or in the square in front. It is very unusual for the attacking army to have sufficient time in the maximum 12 moves to actually take and hold the BUA.  

In future the town or city will always occupy the three squares nearest to the defending player.   The defending army will deploy in the three squares in the middle of the table.   The attacking army in the three squares nearest to the attacking player.    The battle will be decided in the centre three squares.   If the defender loses he will retreat and abandon the town or city.

This leaves villages, farms or fortified buildings.   Each will hold a maximum of one infantry brigade.   In the practice game I have only used infantry, cavalry or artillery would make it much more complicated.  I wanted to determine whether it is possible for an equal number of infantry to capture a BUA.

In the practice game four Baden infantry brigades attack a farm defended by four Russian infantry brigades.  The elite Russian grenadier brigade is the garrison of the farm.   Two conscript brigades are deployed either side and a trained brigade is in reserve behind.

Only one brigade can attack each side of the BUA.   And it soon became obvious that such an attack was doomed to failure.   The Russians have plus 2 for defending and plus 1 for elite.  

To decide the outcome of a melee 1D6 is rolled.   Combat factors are added or deducted, particularly the ones quoted above.

1or less – winner 20% casualties

2, 3, 4 or 5 – both suffer 10% casualties

6 or more – loser 20% casualties

It soon became obvious that one brigade would be very unlikely to succeed.    If the attacker could attack two or three sides at once his chances greatly improved.  But to do so he would have to defeat the supporting brigades either side of the BUA.

The best plan was to pin the garrison with the two conscript Baden brigades, and attack the Russian supporting brigades with the elite and trained Baden brigades.   When the Russian reserve was committed one of the four Baden brigades would engage them.  The remaining three Baden brigades, including the elite and trained brigades, would concentrate on the BUA.

All would still depend on the luck of the dice (as always).   And in a normal game cavalry and artillery would also play a part.   This would make it much more difficult for the attackers.   First they would have to win the cavalry melee.  Then they would have to inflict at least one casualty on the garrison, whilst avoiding the enemy artillery.  

I also found that skirmish fire would play a more important part in attacking a BUA.  Once more it would be decided by 1D6.   Trained attackers and defenders would both need 5 or 6 for a hit.   Conscripts of those with 10% casualties would need 6.   So skirmish fire was unlikely to be enough on its own, but it could play a significant part.

The new rules seem to be working well so far.  It is now time to play full wargames and put them to the real test.

Wargame Rules Review - Hills

 

 

Some rules are more difficult to write than others.   Defending and attacking hills is one of them.   In particular how to attack infantry which have been positioned behind the crest.  This was a favourite tactic of Wellington, and proved very effective.  It protected the defenders from artillery fire.   It also provided a tactical shock to attacking infantry when they suddenly found them deployed and ready to fire when they finally reached the crest of the hill.

I have often wondered why this tactic was not used by many more commanders during the Napoleonic Wars.   I think Blucher’s comment just before the start of the battle of Ligny may provide the answer.    Wellington had joined Blucher to coordinate their strategy for the Waterloo campaign.   He commented that the Prussian infantry were very exposed on the forward slope of a nearby hill.   Blucher replied “my lads like to see the enemy”, or words to that effect.  

I suspect what he was really saying was that he could not trust his infantry to hold their ground behind the crest as the shouts of massed infantry columns approached out of sight below the hill. 

I translate this to my rules by having a morale test for infantry hidden behind the crest.   When the attacking infantry come within 4” they must roll a 1D6.   British require 4, 5 or 6.   All other nations require 5 or 6.

I have never been completely happy with this rule.  I wanted something which reflected the overall morale of the defending infantry, such as a normal morale test. 

This test game used only infantry and artillery, cavalry were an unnecessary distraction.   There are four infantry brigades per side.   All are different combinations of class, musket and skirmish ability.

The photo shows the initial deployment.   Attacking French are all in column of attack, with the artillery in the centre.  Defending Russians have two brigades on the hill and two in reserve.   The white card template shows the range of the Russian artillery.   On a hill they are unable to angle their guns, so can only fire along this narrow corridor.

The French artillery can redeploy.    They can fire on any infantry on the hill, providing that they are close enough.  They roll 1D6 and require 5 or 6 at long range, the same as firing on towns or woods.   The Russian gunners require 3, 4, 5 or 6

Once more we used a dice roll of 3 for all combat and morale tests.  This was to see how an attack would work, without the “luck of the dice”.   It is a good way to get used to the new combat and morale factors.  It is also very boring.

So how did the attack go?

The Russian gunners concentrated on the brigade to the right of the French guns.   They caused 20% casualties, leaving the brigade shaken, and therefore unable to initiate an attack.

The French gunners concentrated on the brigade to the right of the Russian guns.  They were less successful, only managed 10% casualties and the Russian infantry passed their morale test.

It was necessary to maintain a wide gap between the two groups of French infantry to allow their artillery to continue to fire as the infantry approached the hill.

As the French infantry approached the Russian infantry on the hill deployed into line, which is more effective for firepower.   The left hand reserve brigade moved forward to the left of the hill.   The right hand brigade formed column of attack and moved up closer to the right hand brigade on the hill.

The right hand French brigade was an elite unit.   They moved to the left of the hill and attacked the left hand Russian brigade, which was conscript.  They won the melee and routed the Russian brigade.

The left hand Russian brigade on the hill was an elite grenadier brigade.   They formed left and charged the French brigade.   The melee between two elite brigades, with both rolling 3, was a draw.  Both eventually lost 20% casualties, both were non effective.

So the battle for the hill was decided by the Russian brigade on the right.  They were B class infantry (veterans).  The two attacking French brigades were conscript.   The Russians routed one of the French brigades, but themselves lost 20% casualties.   The remaining French brigade deployed into line and routed them.  The reserve Russian brigade passed their morale test as the routed infantry broke through them.   They then exchanged fire with the last French brigade, who now had 20% casualties, won the firefight and routed them.

The Russians held the hill.

But had we used normal dice rolls the combat could easily have gone either way.  This is exactly what I wanted to achieve.  So I am very satisfied with this first test play.

Next week attacking a town or farm.

Wargame Rules Review - Combat

 

This week I have play tested normal combat, which should be the easiest of the three situations.

Each side has one corps commander, four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.   Each side also has the commander in chief.   Normally he would have to supervise three corps, but I wanted to see just how useful he would be.   Each CinC has taken command of half of a corps.

I still use poker chips to identify each commander.   I also use them to decide the sequence of play.   A duplicate chip for each commander is placed in a bag.   One if drawn and that commander is activated.   So in this test game there were four chips, one for each CinC and one for each corps commander.

The sequence of play for each commander is

Command – rally disordered brigades and issue orders

Movement

Firing – artillery, skirmish, musket

Melee – cavalry and infantry combat

Morale – test for any brigade which received casualties or is shaken

The French were attacking.   They were deployed just outside of artillery long range.   This ensured that the fighting would commence with the first move.  

Remember that all dice throws were assumed to be a 3.

Long range artillery fire was ineffective against enemy guns, but very effective against infantry.   Each time they fired they achieved a hit.

Morale tests would result in a pass for one casualty, but fail for two.  However by ensuring that there was a formed brigade within 4”, and also a general within 4” meant that a brigade with two casualties would also pass their morale test.

The C class Cossacks charged the B class dragoons.   The first round of melee was a draw, but the second was won by the dragoons.   The Cossacks routed with 20% casualties, the dragoons were shaken with 20% casualties.

Infantry combat is more complicated.   A column of attack can move 6”.   Or it can move 3” and deploy into line.   Or 3” and volley fire.   Or it can skirmish without any movement penalty.   Skirmish range is 4”, musket range 2”.   Depending on the class, skirmish ability and musket ability the method of attack can be chosen.   If the combat is one brigade on one, a line is much more effective than a column.  However two brigade columns against one brigade in line is far more effective.   The choices are easy to understand, and add a new decision making requirement to infantry combat.  The play test proved that a brigade with better combat ability always won in melee or firing. 

I would say that this play test achieved the first requirement.   The balance was right; the difference would be the 1D6.   This is what I wanted to achieve.

So far, so good

Wargame Rules Review – Commanders

At present there are four commanders on each side.   There are three corps commanders and one Commander in Chief (CinC).

Each corps has one 2x2 foot scenic board to deploy.  This equates to one map square on the campaign map.   In my current rules each commander has a “command range” of 8”.   All six brigades must remain within that distance from the corps commander for them to issue orders.

This creates a lot of command problems.   For example if a corps has to defend a town it is impossible for the corps commander to be within range of the garrison and the supporting brigades.   I have overcome this problem by allowing the CinC to take command of part of a corps.   In addition a brigade gets a morale bonus if there is a commander in base contact.

My first change of rules is to increase this “command range” to 12”.   If the corps commander is in the centre of the scenic square he will now be able to issue orders to all of his brigades, providing that they remain within the square.   I have also created a new “morale range” of 4”.   Any brigade within that distance of either their corps commander or CinC will gain plus one on morale tests.

At present the CinC can create a command by concentrating any brigade within his existing 8” command range.    This is done before the battle starts, so the wargame would start with four command groups rather that three.  It is usually done to created a reserve, or concentrate artillery or cavalry into an independent command under the CinC.

Under the new rules the CinC can take command of any brigade(s) within 4”.   This represents the CinC taking personal command of a portion of the battlefield either to rally shaken brigades, or exploit a sudden advantage.   Once he has taken command he can then issue orders to the same brigades up to 12”.  

Finally the CinC can issue orders to any brigade within 4”.    The corps commander can only issue orders to brigades of his own corps within 12”.   The CinC can add the morale bonus to any brigade in the army, within 4”.   The corps commander only to brigades of his own corps within 4”.

This will increase the ability of commanders to bolster the morale of individual brigades, whether they are in combat or trying to rally after a rout.   In particular the CinC will now play a vital role in increasing morale by moving to inspire or rally the required brigades..

Wargame Rules Review – New Rules

 

To play test the new rules I have set up a table with the three types of objective which I want to improve.   On the left a hill.   In the centre open combat.   On the right a farm.   The white card is artillery long range.  I will test play new rules for each of these combats using just one corps v one corps.

As always the outcome will be decided by a dice throw.  However I have decided to simplify how this will work.   First I have replaced the use of 2D6 with 1D6.   I have also greatly reduced the list of plus and minus combat factors.

During the rule testing period I will always use a dice throw of 3.    This will allow me to test each new rule without the complication of high or low dice rolls.   In general terms a roll of 1 or 6 will produce extreme results.   2 and 5 will favour one side or the other.   3 or 4 will produce the same result for both sides.  

I have given up on trying to make wargames “realistic”.  It has long been obvious to me that moving model soldiers around on a table will never reproduce the conditions of a real battle.  The best we can hope for is to get a feel of what it was like to command a Napoleonic battle.   This is done partly by well painted models and nice looking scenery.   It is enhanced by adding a campaign background to the wargame.   But what it should feel like is always going to be a very personal thing.

Combat factors are the means of getting “the feel right”.   However too often players try to cover every possible factor.   This results in very long lists of plus and minus factors, most of which then just add a lot of time to reaching a solution to a combat or morale test.

I have reduced them to quality of troops, current morale, supports, casualties and command bonus.  The total is then added to the 1D6.   This removes the need to consult the lists.   It also prompts the player to position generals and supports carefully.   If the result proves not to achieve what I want, I don’t need to add more factors.   I just need to adjust the dice result.   This is much easier using just 1D6 rather than two or more.

I have written the first draft of the new rules.   The next step is to play test them.   By next week I should have a much better idea of whether I can achieve what I want with what I plan to do.

Wargame Rules Review – Current Rules

Battle of Merida on the campaign map 

First thanks to everyone who commented on my last post.   Your observations and suggestions are very welcome.   Thanks in particular to Bob Cordery who sent me a copy of his rules with permission to use them as required.   My new rules, like the previous ones, will eventually be published  as part of my 1813 campaign diary blog.   They will of course be free, and be available to anyone who wants to use them.

All of our wargames fight battles from our 1813 Napoleonic campaign.   It is important that the battles are easily moved from the campaign map to the wargames table and back.   To this end my campaign maps are a series of squares, which can be reproduced using the 2x2 scenic squares which make up my 6x6 foot wargames table.

Just before we moved to Spain in 2006 I started using Le Feu Sacre wargame rules.   As a commercial set of rules they were not ideal for my campaign concept.  But I really liked them and wanted to continue to use them.   This required considerable alteration over the years, but I have always been reasonably happy with the result.

17 years is a long time to use the same rules, particularly when you actually play most days for a couple of hours.   It says much for the design of LFS that they have lasted so long.   However over the past year or so I have become increasingly frustrated with them. 

To work with the campaign each wargame lasts a maximum of 12 moves, which equates with 12 hours in the campaign.   It has been obvious for some time that this is not long enough to reach a satisfactory conclusion to the wargame. 

Battle of Merida on the wargames table

Each wargames table represents a district in the campaign.   Each district has a town or city, and that is always the campaign objective.   Far too often a game results in a draw, mostly because the winner has beaten the enemy, but does not have sufficient time to take the town or city.

I have always been reluctant to create a new set of wargame rules.   I would rather adopt a commercial set.   However I have now decided that I will give it a go.

I will keep the current orders of battle, and the current campaign map system.   The one map square equals one table scenic square will remain.

When I created the campaign I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve.   The key was one square on the table to one square on the map.   So I recreated a series of maps which would reflect this.   

Now I want to create a set of wargames rules which are designed to achieve the game objective within 12 moves.  

By next week I hope to have an outline of how to achieve this objective.

Wargame Rules Review

Campaign wargame map

All of my wargames are fighting battles from my 1813 campaign.   It is critical that the table is a replica of the wargames map.   The campaign battle area is three squares by three squares.   The wargame table is three squares by three squares.   One day in the campaign is 12 hours, each wargame is a maximum of 12 moves. 

When I started the campaign in 2009 I was using Le Feu Sacre rules by Too Fat Lardies.   I had to amend them slightly to fit the campaign requirements, but the mechanics were retained.   I did, and still do, regard them as an excellent set of wargame rules.   Over the years they have been amended time and again to suit my particular type of wargame.   I game against my wife Jan, and we game most days.   So we quickly gained a mastery of the fine points of the rules.   Few, if any, rules would stand up to this amount of play.   We quickly found bits which we did not like and which did not provide the type of fast moving and fun wargame.   However they still remain retain many, if not most, of the original rules.

However lately I have found that wargames are not completed satisfactorily in the maximum 12 moves.   This is partly because we both know the rules so well that  we can counter each move.    I usually take the offensive role, and I          have mastered what works and what  does not.   Jan has developed counter measures which usually result in a draw.   Most often I simply run out of time.    I “win” the battle, but fail to take the objective.  So, of course, I actually “lose” the battle.   Winning and losing does not matter, but the indecisive result does.   The campaign relies on a distinct winner and loser of each battle.   Remember that the aim of each battle is to provide an enjoyable wargame.   This is not the same as playing a realistic historical campaign.

So there is a pressing need for major change.  However I do not want to “throw the baby out with the bath water”.

I have a rough outline of what I want to achieve, but will take as long as it takes to play test  the result before I apply the new rules to the campaign.

Wargame Table

The main objective is to provide a more decisive result, but to keep the fast flowing and fun feel to the rules.   This is much more difficult to achieve than it sounds.  I have found so often in the past that any amendments to wargame rules produce many unanticipated and unwelcome problems.   You solve one problem but produce two more.

I feel that the need is to simplify the basic outcome of each combat, but maintain the overall balance of the rules.   However to do so I will need to alter the overall balance in order to adjust any minor problems of game play.

There are three major aspects I want to review

First combat in general

Second towns and woods

Third hills

At present combat is resolved by a table which confirms the outcome.  For example the winner breaks contact, it is a draw or the loser breaks contact.    Too often it is a draw, both sides suffer casualties, but the combat continues for two or three moves.

Towns are very difficult to take.   It takes a long time for the attacker to reach the building, and the fighting can then go on for two or three moves.   Most often the defender gets pushed back, but the attacker runs out of time.

Hills are particularly difficult to take.   Infantry can hide behind the crest and artillery dominates the approach.   The attacker has to reduce solve the artillery problem by cavalry or counter battery before the infantry can stand any reasonable chance of taking the hill.

That is the task.   Now all I have to do is solve the problem!

End of Merida Campaign Phase

Battles fought during campaign phase

Suchet won four of the six battles fought.

 

He won the first three, forcing the Spanish army to retreat west to Adjucen, Merida and Calamonte.

 

To pursue the retreating Spanish, Suchet had to detach more infantry brigades to protect his every lengthening lines of supply.   This was necessary because of the increased guerrilla activity, which resulted in the loss of the town of Bargas – not once but twice.

 

The French won the fourth battle to the east of Adjucen.  However 2^nd Spanish corps occupied the city, and 13^th French army were forced to lay siege. 

 

The Spanish won at Calamonte, and also at the final critical battle of Merida.

 

By now the French were down to one or two days supplies for each corps, and the final blow was when the guerrilla captured Bargas for the second time.  This caused the collapse of the French supply system in the north. 

 

Suchet ordered his army to retreat east to resupply and regroup

 

Comments

The end of a campaign is always a time for reflection and to review lessons learned.   This was true at the end of the very first campaign phase in October 2009, it is no less true at the end of this campaign, which is the 85^th campaign phase.

 

There are always good and bad aspects of each campaign.  The good aspect of this one is how well the Spanish guerrilla activity has affected the overall campaign.  I am not really sure whether this was luck or great skill at rule writing.  But I feel the narrative of this campaign has followed the historical war in the Peninsula very well.   The French swept all before them in the first half, but gradually ran out of steam (or more precisely supplies).   The guerrilla lost far more actions than they won, but the ones that they did win had a dramatic effect on the campaign.    The French really did run out of supplies, it was not just something I made up to bring the campaign to a dramatic end.   This was a really enjoyable campaign, one of the best so far.

The bad aspect is a general dissatisfaction with the whole concept of the campaign.   After 13-14 years of almost daily Wargaming the campaign battles it is not surprising that it is all getting a little tired.   Those of you who have followed my blog will know that I regularly revise both the campaign and wargame rules.   I feel that the time has come for yet  another major revision.   I have done this six times with the campaign, but the rules have changed very little.   I feel the time is right to perform major surgery on them.

At present is only a vague dissatisfaction with the outcome of recent games, and particularly in this campaign phase.   Over the next weeks I will put some serious thought into what I feel is necessary.   I will present my ideas and progress on the blog, so the campaign will be suspended until I have redesigned and play tested the new rule system.

I feel it is a bit sad to say that I am really excited at the prospect - but I am.

Merida Campaign Day 7

15 June 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 7

French retreat to regroup and resupply

 

In the north 13^th French army abandon the siege of Adjucen and retreat to Santa Amalia

1^st guerrilla brigade occupy Bargas

4^th French brigade retreat to Toledo

The French lines of supply is cut

 

In the centre 14^th French army retreat to San Pedro

 

In the south 15^th French army retreat to Manchita

 

The Spanish have won the Merida campaign

 

 

Comments

Having failed to take Merida, Marshal Suchet orders the Army of Spain to retreat

 

They will concentrate at Santa Amalia, San Pedro and Manchita to regroup

In doing so they will have occupied the three town on the Merida-Toledo border

Giron’s Spanish Army continue to hold Merida, and can claim victory

 

In effect the campaign has ended in a draw.

 

The French are unable to continue offensive operations and must break contact with the Spanish

However the Spanish are unable to pursue the French, let alone drive them out of Merida district

 

I am quite pleased with this confused end to the campaign, because it feels right.

It is very similar to the historical French experience in Spain

They could always defeat the Spanish field armies

But they struggled to exercise control over the captured cities and towns

 

I am also pleased with the guerrilla operations and French supply problems

It is this more than anything else which caused Soult to abandon the campaign

 

 

 

 

Merida Campaign – Battle of Merida

 

Start of game

Merida is the main Spanish depot and the campaign objective

It is held and defended by 3^rd Spanish army

14^th French army have orders to take and hold Merida 

 

Both armies have suffered only light casualties in the campaign so far

Both commanders are well aware of the importance of Merida and the outcome of the battle

 

14^th French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 12 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Battle of Merida – Move 12

On the left most of 5^th Spanish corps are in rout

Only one infantry brigade is left to hold the hill

However they have completely routed 42^nd Polish corps

 

In the centre 40^th French corps has fought to take the city

They have occupied the southern half.

But the Spanish still hold the northern half

 

On the right 4^th Spanish corps have four of their six brigades in rout

However they have routed all six Baden corps

Not only do they hold the flank, but they are sending reinforcements to the city

 

The French have lost 13 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (5700 men)

The Spanish have lost 17 infantry, 2 cavalry and 5 artillery casualties (7500 men)

 

The French have 8 brigades in rout

The Spanish have 10 brigades in rout

 

Against all the odds, the Spanish have won a convincing and decisive victory

 

Comments

This was easily the hardest fought wargame of the campaign

Indeed the “nearest run thing” for many a campaign.

 

Both players were determined to win, knowing that the winner would also win the campaign

Neither side had many campaign casualties, so morale was strong for both armies

In the first photo the Spanish deployment looks very similar to the previous five battles

 

The French tactics were very similar to earlier games.

The CinC took command of two of the three corps artillery

He also took two elite infantry brigades

The battle plan was to hold the flanks with 41^st and 42^nd corps

And take the city with 40^th French corps plus extra artillery

 

The fighting was really fierce and undecided until the very end

The French made steady progress, but suffered heavy casualties

The Spanish also lost heavy casualties

 

The Spanish held both flanks, but that was more luck than skill

 

On the left the last Spanish infantry brigade held the hill in line

Their artillery routed, but then rallied and were about to reoccupy their guns

The two remaining French infantry brigades had to attack in column before they could do so

The Spanish brigade just happened to be the best one in 5^th corps

The two French brigades just happened to be the two worse Polish brigades

The Poles lost and ran away.

 

On the right the Baden cavalry routed with just 10% casualties (one hit)

This allowed 4^th Spanish corps artillery to redeploy and fire on the Baden infantry

The attack on the bridge ended in disaster with all six Baden brigades in rout

 

But it was in the centre where the Spanish really won the battle

6^th Spanish corps held the southern half of the city, but did not garrison the northern half

The French grand battery deployed at short range, with the two infantry brigades in support

However as soon as they opened fire the Spanish garrison withdrew to the northern half of Merida

The French artillery had failed to cause any casualties to the garrison]

And were now unable to fire on the northern half of the city

There were five French brigades ready to assault the town

But on one could attack through each town section

Because the Spanish still held the flanks they could not easily attack the east and west sides of Merida.

The French artillery finally redeployed against the northern half of the city

They opened fire again on move 12 (the last one of the game)

One hit and caused the garrison to take morale

They passed their test, held the city and won the campaign

 

One of our most enjoyable wargames for a long time

And a great way to decide a very enjoyable campaign phase.

Merida Campaign Day 6

14 June 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 6

 

Siege of Adjucen day 2

14^th French army attack Merida

 

In the north 38^th and 39^th French corps retreat to Santa Amalia to resupply

1^st guerrilla attack Bargas, garrison rout with 20%, supplies lost

2^nd guerrilla attack convoy to Tomjos, lose 10% and rout, supplies delivered

 

In the centre 14^th French army attack Merida

3^rd guerrilla attack Toledo, fail and retreat with casualties

4^th guerrilla attack convoy near Albareal, lose 10% and rout, supplies delivered

 

In the south 15^th French army rally, regroup and resupply after battle of Calamonte

3^rd Spanish army regroup in and around Calamonte

6^th guerrilla attack Guadamur, fail and rout with 10% casualties

 

 

 

Comments

 

This is crunch day for the French.

 

All nine corps are running short of supplies, many with just one day left.

If they run out of supplies they will start to lose attrition casualties at the rate of one per corps per day

 

In addition both the French and Spanish troops are tired and in desperate need of rest and reinforcements

By nightfall they will have fought six major battles in six days.  

 

The battle of Merida is their last chance to crush the Spanish army and take the campaign objective

The loss of Merida and its supply depot will force the Spanish army to retreat west.

However if they hold Merida their lines of supply are secured

It will be the French who are forced to retreat.

 

The daily guerrilla activity is also having a serious effect on French morale

Once more they have captured Bargas and its supplies

The garrison have now lost 20% casualties, and been forced to rout twice

Even when the French reoccupy the town, as they must, they will have to detach another brigade from their field force

 

Both sides are aware of the importance of Merida

Both will fight hard to occupy the town and thus win the campaign.

 

Merida Campaign – Battle of Calamonte

 

Start of game

15^th French army have orders to attack Calamonte

Three infantry brigades are detached

They have casualties to six brigades

The whole army arrives at the start of move 1

 

3^rd Spanish army have orders to defend Calamonte

The whole army is present, with two infantry brigades in the town

They have casualties to five brigades

The whole army is deployed on the table at the start of the game

 

15^th French Army – 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 12 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

 

End of move 12

On the left the Italian corps is broken and retreat

9^th Spanish corps also suffer heavy casualties

But two brigades move to support the town

 

The CinC leads the main attack in the centre

They force 7^th Spanish corps to retreat

But arrive at the town too late to take it

 

On the right the Westphalian corps rout 8^th Spanish corps

But it takes too long and they do not reach the town before nightfall

 

At nightfall the Spanish hold the town and have concentrated their whole army there

 

The French have lost 5 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (2500 men)

The Spanish have lost 9 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (4100 men)

The Spanish have 8 brigades in rout, the French have 5 brigades.

 

Comments

This was the hardest fought battle of the campaign so far

The Spanish fought hard, and only retreated when forced to do so

 

The Italians attacked the farm on the left

They suffered heavy casualties and retreated in rout

Only the corps artillery survived

As soon as they retreated the two remaining Spanish brigades joined the garrison

 

In the centre the Spanish beat off the cavalry attack on their guns

The infantry then withdrew slowly to the town

The French were in position to attack by the end of move 9

But their artillery failed to shake the garrison

Spanish reinforcements from the flanks soon outnumbered the attackers

 

On the right the Westphalians had more success

Their cavalry also suffered heavy casualties (30%)

This allowed the infantry and artillery to delay the Westphalian attack

At nightfall they were still fighting

 

Once more the French have failed to achieve a convincing victory

The Spanish have suffered more casualties

However the French have lost all three cavalry brigades

This has allowed all three Spanish corps to concentrate in and around the town

At the best, the French can claim a draw.

 

It may well be that this is how the Spanish will win the campaign, now and in future

The campaign objective is for the French to take the main Spanish city

If allowed to fight more battles of attrition they would probably win

However the campaign rules require the French to occupy the objective

If they have not done so within six days they must retreat