Howdy,
At Cold Wars on Saturday, March 13th, the French had another go at an attack on elements of the German IVth Reserve Corps defending west of the Ourcq River, from September 5, 1914. The game was a playtest for the forthcoming scenario book, France 1914 for Command Decision – Test of Battle (CD – ToB). See the website at: testofbattle.com
The German 1st and 2nd armies have turned south before Paris. The right flank of the 1st army is exposed. The French 6th Army attacks east. George Marshall in Infantry in Battle said, A sucessful French attack would have taken the IV Reserve Corps in the flank and might well have had far-reaching results. Had the IV Reserve broken on September 5, the Battle of the Marne might have been as decisive tactically as it was strategically.
The rolling terrain was dominated by the wooded ridge before St. Souplet and the adjoining hills, especially at Monthyon.
German forces: Experienced – 9
1 battalion reserve infantry, with 4 companies, each with 4 stands.
1 artillery battalion with 3 batteries of 77mm guns
At start, one company is on the road near St. Souplet, about 1 move from the ridgeline. A single battery is deployed in Monthyon. Each turn the German player receives either an additional company or battery.
French forces:
1 regiment of reserve infantry, Green – 8, with 3 battalions of 4 companies, as above
1 regiment of colonial infantry, Regular – 9, as above
1 group (i.e. battalion) of artillery with 3 batteries of 75mm guns
The artillery is regular – 8.
An advance guard of two battalions is deployed on the road to Cuisy. Thereafter, the French player receives 1 battalion per turn. The artillery may enter no sooner than turn 2 (i.e., following the lead regiment).
Victory Conditions:
Control of St. Souplet.
What happened in the game:
The French sent the lead battalion through Cuisy against the ridgeline company. The other two battalions of the reserve regiments peeled off to attack Monthyon.
The initial German reinforcements were sent to Monthyon, and the intervening hill above the Fescheux Farm. Subseqeuent, the fourth company deployed in St. Souplet itself.
The initial assault on the ridgeline failed, with the lead French battalion virtually wiped out. However, on the French right, the other two battalions closed and pressed home an attack on Monthyon. At 4:1, the attack of the green troops failed, but at 8:1, the attack of the green troops was sucessful.
The follow on French regiment, attacked where the Germans were not and took the ridgeline and intervening hill (i.e., between the ridgeline and St. Monthyon above the Fresheux Farm), both threatening St. Souplet at the end of the game. The game was called after turn 10 (of 12), as it was highly unlikely the French could successfully take St. Souplet in two turns. The game was played with 3 of 5 inexperienced players within three hours.
The game was judged a German victory. The key decision was the use of the colonial troops to attack positions the Germans did not have the strength to defend. Overall, it was a near run thing, but the German battalion held against the French brigade attack.
I believe all players enjoyed the game. I hope some of these will post comments on the game.
I'm not sure about posting photos here, but I'll give a try.
Ponder on,
JAS
PS – photo attempt below:
Photo 1 – Labeled terrain
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Photo 2 – View from Monthyon
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Photo 3 – View from the North, from the German side of the board
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Photo 4 – French advance guard
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Photo 5 – at start German Company w/battalion commander leading
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Photo 6 – French troops less lead battalion
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Photo 7 – Initial French attack from Cuisy
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Photo 8 – Result of initial attack on the ridgeline
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Photo 9 – Attack on Monthyon
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Photo 10 – Reinforcement arrives for Monthyon
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Photo 11 – Closing on Monthyon
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Photo 12 – French attack on intervening hill / Fresheux Farm
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Photo 13 – Attack on Monthyon
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Photo 14 – Pressing home Fresheux Farm
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Photo 15 – End at Monthyon
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At the end of the game, a single German command infantry stand was trapped in the center of town, surrounded by two battalions (-) of French
Photo 16 – Successful French flanking attack on the wooded ridgeline
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Enjoy the photos. It was a fun game.
JAS
