"Komarow, August 1914 from Cold Wars '14" Topic

Howdy,

I ran Komarow on Friday evening for 7 players. Each player controlled a battalion. The rules were "Command Decision – Test of Battle." It was a playtest for the forthcoming "Great War East – 1914" scenario book (should be out at Historicon this summer).

We played 8 turns in the 4 hours allotted. The base duration for the scenario is 12 turns, so we ended early (it was 11pm and I was tired).

Overall, the game was a draw. The Austrians seized the town of Komarow early, as the initial Russian advances were timid. The initial Russian assault on the town was thrown back. The Russians rallied, and moved to flank the town from the north.

Meanwhile, a major fight was brewing in the southern woods. The woods seemed to act like a black hole drawing in all available troops. The Austrians withdrew much of their garrison from Komarow and added them to the woodland scrum.

Because of this the Russian flanking move in the north, would have been able to contest the town of Komarow.

There were three objectives for the game: The game was judged a draw with a slight advantage for the Russians. They seemed to be controlling the tempo of the battle in the end.

Terrain: Control Komarow and the Line of Communications from the board edge. This was judged a draw due to the Russian flanking attack. As noted at the time the game actually ended the Austrians controlled the town.

Troop Casualties: The Russians lost 10 stands, the Austrians 9. Also judged a draw. Technically, 10 is more than 9, so a point for the Austrians.

Artillery Casualties: The Austrians lost a battery due to counter-battery fire. Point for the Russians.

Folks seemed to have fun.

Photos below, enjoy:

Photo 1 – Terrain, view to SE

Photo 2 – Terrain, view to NE

Photo 3 – Terrain, view to NW

Photo 4 – Terrain, view to SW

Photo 5 – Terrain, town of Komarow

Photo 6 – Austrians at start, marching north

Photo 7 – Russians at start, northern column marching west

Photo 8 – Russians at start, southern column marching west

Photo 9 – Austrians turn east to meet the Russians

Photo 10 – Austrians move into Komarow

Photo 11 – Initial Russian attack on Komarow

Photo 12 – Russians delay Austrian entry to the southern woods with a Fog of War card

Photo 13 – Dismounted Austrian cavalry takes casualties but delays the Russians at the northern end of the southern woods.

Photo 14 – Initial Russian attack on Komarow, thown back shaken.

Photo 15 – Woodland hell

Photo 16 – Russian move to flank in the north

Photo 17 – At the end of the game in the southern woods

Ponder on,

JAS

I enjoyed the game, and am interested in the period. My only regrets were loosing the battery and being sucked into move troops from the town.
The FOW cards made for an interesting part of the game. I expected the game to go differently with a Russian victory. Still I had a very good time. Ponder did a great job running the game. The figures were very nice.

Thank you for the kind words. I'll be doing another game at Historicon in July.

Ponder on,

JAS

As noted at the top of the initial post, Command Decision – Test of Battle. 15mm Peter Pig figures.

3/4-inch square for infantry; IIRC bases from Renaissance Ink.