| rsutton | 08 Sep 2018 2:44 a.m. PST |
Our latest Great War Spearhead action, fought using my 20mm armies: Usdau East Prussia 1914 link Kind regards Robin |
John Leahy  | 08 Sep 2018 4:40 a.m. PST |
Loved the battle report! Done in my favorite scale too! Really nice looking game. 
Thanks. John |
| monk2002uk | 10 Sep 2018 4:39 a.m. PST |
Thank you for the post and the photos, Robin. I noticed the question about what actually happened. The Germans struggled to overcome the Russian defences along the high ground in this area. The Russian position was unlocked by German forces penetrating through the gap further north. Robert |
| rsutton | 10 Sep 2018 7:13 p.m. PST |
Robert
Thanks for that. I was unable to 'model' the rail embankment to. This would have made the Russian posiotion even stronger. Frankly they didn't need it though. I'd have attacked slightly differently, but certainly a really difficult position to unlock. Robin |
| monk2002uk | 11 Sep 2018 11:10 p.m. PST |
Robin. It is very noticeable, when examining a map of the Russian dispositions overlaid on the original terrain map from the time, how the Russian line followed the line of the railway. It is very tough to tackle such a terrain feature head-on, as it was in reality. Outflanking is the key, to the 'North' ie the short table edge to the left of the German line of advance. Usdau is the northern extension of the 'Action around Tauersee' scenario. The two maps can be joined together to form a larger game, table size permitting. Robert |
| rsutton | 12 Sep 2018 3:27 a.m. PST |
Robert
Do we know if the Russians deployed in that gap, or was their flank literally hanging in the air? R |
| monk2002uk | 12 Sep 2018 9:31 a.m. PST |
The flank was hanging in the air, yes. Robert |
| rsutton | 13 Sep 2018 1:20 a.m. PST |
Robert Ouch.. and as Russian I deployed some troops set back to protect the flank. Wondering then if the scenario needs to make it clear that's not an option for the Russian player? Protecting the flank was my first thought. Robin |
| monk2002uk | 13 Sep 2018 4:24 a.m. PST |
Robin, I still think that it is ok for the commander to make the decision on-table. The Russian defensive position does not extend to the northern table edge. The major breakthrough in real-life was an operational one, not tactical. The German commander on the Usdau battlefield was not aware of what was happening several kilometres to the north. So both German and Russian northern and southern flanks were open with respect to the Usdau/Tauersee battlefields respectively. Robert |
| rsutton | 13 Sep 2018 1:01 p.m. PST |
Robert
Thanks.. your point about the operational rather than the tactical outcome is well made. Usdau is certainly a tough call for the German commander. I am thinking of a replay. I have some thoughts on how, as German commander this time, I could make the break through … mwahahahahahahaha
R |
| monk2002uk | 14 Sep 2018 3:13 a.m. PST |
It is a scenario that lends itself to more experienced players controlling the German forces. Robert |
adds a machinegun platoon to his WWI Brits.
