"Russian Campaign at Michael's - Part 14" Topic

The battle with the Russian Grenaiders continues.

Eugene decides to deploy his Italians close together this time in order to deny the enemy the chance of catching a portion of his force unsupported and outgunned. He orders his small division on the extreme left flank with his guns deployed forward to bombard the enemy flank. On the left of this he orders the remnants of a light cavalry brigade plus a full light cavalry brigade to protect the left of the army.

Behind this lead division, a full division of Italians marches with it's brigades one behind the other up onto the ridgeline on the left flank with it's orders to attack the small village and then the enemy hill to the left of the main village.

Eugene's remaining infantry division (the guards) is ordered just to the left of the main road to threaten the main village but to stay out of range of it's defenders.

I am given command of the cavalry wing on the extreme left. I have 1 brigade of 1 regiment of Italian light cavalry and 1 brigade of 2 regiments of Italian light cavalry. This 2nd brigade includes a battery of 4 horse guns. My orders are to support the infantry on my right as they advance. My concern is the enemy horse opposing me. I have met with them before and they are well trained and experienced Guard light cavalry. But they have no guns with them this time.

picture
Eugene's deployment of his divisions and brigades to the left of the main road

For the full report of this installment with pics:
link

For the full campaign report to date with pics:
link

David
wardepot.blogspot.com
6to20painting.blogspot.com

Entertaining report David.
Well done those Italian Light horse!
Max

Its a very nicely written campaign report and I went back and read all the other parts as well (except one I couldnt find).

I used to play Empire a lot and the battle reports remind me why. Once you have a grasp of the system mechanics the games flow quite smoothly and I've yet to find a Napoleonic game that gives a better representation of the battles of the period. I dont think I could cope with the hassle of single figures, skirmish companies and so on any more though.

From what I recall of the campaign system it went into a great deal of detail but I suspect a lot of that could be left out or simplified to make the GM's life easier.

Makes me want to get my finger out and start a campaign that I've been threatening to do at our club for the past year :-)

Yeah the guy running the campaign has modded the Campaign System so much based on his own research and required balance that it is a shadow of its former self. Much better. I don't think I have ever played an Empire campaign using the full system the way it is written. It works well to form a basis that you either expand on or simplify. Most simplify it because a campaign is really just a setting to create the battles.

I like battles to be in a campaign setting so the commanders don't do stupid things like throwing the Old Guard in to attack a village at the start of a battle or fighting a division to the absolute end of it's existence. there is always a need to keep reserves, rotate units, cover your LOS, look after commanders and think of the need to fight again tomorrow.

David
wardepot.blogspot.com
6to20painting.blogspot.com

…and is using my designed and drawn maps ;-p

(personal plug)

I always enjoy your reports

hussarbob1746.webs.com

I wondered where he got those maps from. They are working well Shane.

David
wardepot.blogspot.com
6to20painting.blogspot.com

Good to see, your campaign is a great read and looks like a lot of fun for you guys.