Dos de Mayo | 26 Mar 2015 12:29 p.m. PST |
Gents: How could be represented in a tactical rule set (you are a Division General, like in "Lasalle" or "NaW") the battalion guns that accompanied some Napoleonic Infantry? |
Jcfrog | 26 Mar 2015 1:47 p.m. PST |
Sections attached to bn or rgt. Should stay very close from parent unit. Mostly moves at infantry speed pulled by men( plenty around). Limbered for long moves. Second class gunners. Rules to ensure their fire mostly for / with their parent unit. More canister than balls. Maybe if system allows for much details ( sigh one more after the 17 already there?) tiny morale bonus for the infantry with the guns. Lose them ( moved to the rear)/ rest of day?) if unit goes into woods or normally inadequate terrain. Probably can be used in villages though. |
vtsaogames | 26 Mar 2015 6:30 p.m. PST |
During the Seven Years War Chevert's attack (Battle of Hastenbeck) went up the wooded Obensburg. The Allies discovered he had taken the hill when his battalion guns opened fire from the summit. So they were able to go through at least some woods. |
Major Bloodnok | 27 Mar 2015 4:51 a.m. PST |
Some rules will make you attach the gun to a particular battalion, and if the battalion runs good-bye guns. |
ColCampbell | 27 Mar 2015 6:43 a.m. PST |
But for the SYW, according to Duffy, both the Prussian and Austrian battalion guns carried more ball than canister ammunition. Don't know if it was the same for the Napoleonic Wars. Jim |
McLaddie | 27 Mar 2015 7:14 a.m. PST |
Well, part of the problem is the fact that most battalion guns ran per battalion, say one or two, below the typical game battery of 6 to 12 guns. So, representing them usually is just an increase in infantry fire. Movement would generally be the same speed as infantry. [It was common, though not universal by any means, to have a horse pulling the gun. Major B. has what would happen with a unplanned retrograde movement back… running. |
Jcfrog | 27 Mar 2015 8:28 a.m. PST |
My rules have brigade or big rgt units. I have bn guns fire to the front has a similar number of second rate light guns as if in a battery. Even in 1812, but then called regimental guns, so possibly as often in one lot of 4. Usually ends up with 4-8 pieces. Mind me when the Austrians change the names to brigade batteries they don' t necessarily change the use. I think the difference is they now normally can gather them near the brigade. |
McLaddie | 27 Mar 2015 11:22 a.m. PST |
jcfrog: However, some regiments/brigades combined the battalion guns, some did not, which means that you could be facing a battalion or regiment with two to four guns among the infantry, or none at all because the guns were grouped and off someplace else. |
vtsaogames | 27 Mar 2015 7:59 p.m. PST |
If your rules have sections of guns, then put a section with each battalion. If your rules have one model = one battery, then you have to decide if you want to represent some distant fire from battalion guns or just give such infantry a musketry bonus. |
Dos de Mayo | 28 Mar 2015 2:50 a.m. PST |
I have gun section representing 2 pieces. I find too powerfull each battalion having one light artillery section. Have I to restrict in some way the firing capabilities of these guns? I presume that battalion guns have to fire at the same target than the main battalion, but the range of the gun is bigger than that of the muskets, so it adds lots of complications to my simple way of resolving firefights and "engagement ranges" (the rules stated that the maneouvring capabilities of the units "engaged" – under fire or at fire range of the enemy -decrease). Any suggestion? |
1968billsfan | 28 Mar 2015 5:12 a.m. PST |
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1968billsfan | 28 Mar 2015 5:27 a.m. PST |
I wonder if the real purpose of the small battalion level cannon was to engage enemy targets at a longer range than the muskets in order to help morale by supplying a big bang against the enemy. I wonder if canister makes much sense for the small 2,3,4 pound guns because they contain so few rounds. Some information on a 2 pound gun, the Woodruff gun from the ACW. link A 2 1/8" bore and with canister firing seven one oz. lead balls. Might it be better to fire a round shot through seven people in a mass formation rather than scatter 7 shots around? ======================== The 12 pound mountain howitzer (or the period equivlent) would seem to be a better choice for a close-in "man-portable" infantry support weapon. It throws out 148 9/8 oz lead balls. Much better if you are looking for support against a charging infanty or cavalry unit. See "How to Hunt Wisconsin Whitetail Deer with a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer Cannon" at buckstix.com/howitzer.htm (See also " THE FERAL CAT HUNT WITH A COEHORN MORTAR") .
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