"Ukraine 1914 - second playtest" Topic

Howdy,

On Saturday, 5/20, conducted a second playtest of one of my planned games for Historicon. The game was played at Saga Games in Frederick, MD. Rules: Command Decision – Test of Battle; played with 15mm Peter Pig figures.

The scenario is a regimental meeting engagement between the Austrians and Russians.

Austrian OB
Infantry Regiment with 3 battalions
Cavalry Squadron (-) with 2 troops
Artillery Battalion with 3 batteries.

The Austrian player chose to attach an artillery battery to each infantry battalion.

Russian OB
2 Infantry Regiments, each with 2 battalions
Cavalry Squadron with 4 troops
Artillery Battalion with 3 batteries

The Austrian objective was to establish a bridgehead on the eastern shore and seize the crossroads.

The Russian objective was to establish a bridgehead on the western shore.

Photo 1 – An overview of the terrain

Both sides had their cavalry on the board to start. Each side has one battalion entering per turn.

The Russian advance sent the cavalry and one battalion to their left flank, where they were met by a reinforced Austrian battalion.

The Russians kept 2 battalions and their artillery in the center, advancing west along the main road. The Austrians used a battalion to defend the town at the main crossing.

The 4th Russian battalion went to their right flank. The Austrians sent a battalion (-) although supported by their MG's to the defend their left.

Overall by going on the defensive early, the Austrians ceded initiative in the battle to the Russians. This was a major factor in deciding the battle.

Photo 2 – Russian artillery battalion of three batteries online.

Photo 3 – Initial Russian advance screened by cavalry

Photo 4 – Austrians set-up in the town; column marching to their right in the background

Photo 5 – Opposing battlelines on the norther flank (Austrian right/Russian left)

Photo 6 – Initial Russian probe in the center bloodily repulsed

Photo 7 –Russians infiltrate the woods across the river from the town

Photo 8 – Russian attack in the south forming up

Photo 9 – Russian attack in the center developing. The massed Russian artillery easily dominated the individual Austrian batteries, and then suppressed fire from the town to allow an assault into the town.

Photo 10 – Russian attack in the center

Photo 11 – Russian assault on the town; the artillery support was a big reason the attack succeeded

It was a fun game, and should be an excellent scenario for Historicon.

Ponder on,

JAS

Howdy,

Game planned for Friday 7pm at Historicon.

JAS

Looks like an interesting scenario

Table looks good! Looks like the scenario will be interesting.

Thanks

John

Mr. Leahy,

Thank you, I had a blast running the game last Saturday.

JAS

Good looking miniatures and scenery! I find these WWI Eastern Front battles fascinating. Thanks for posting.

Mr. May,

Thank you. I think maneuver warfare is inherently more interesting.

JAS

Hi good looking game, thanks for posting.
Are the bases Companies or Platoons (for infantry and MGs) in these rules, suspect the latter?

Mr. Darling,

Thank you. In Commend Decision, each stand represents a platoon. So, at full strength at 250 man company has 4 stands, each representing about 60 men.

JAS