This week I tried a scenario I designed for the excellent Mustafa wargame "Blucher."
It was a modified Waterloo scenario focusing on later in the day. The Brits - with just 120 pts - were charged with clinging onto a crossroads (supposedly securing communication with the Prussians) while 200 pts of French attacked. An additional 100 pts of Prussians (my newly painted army - and any old wargamer knows the superstitions about newly painted miniatures in their first battle) in three corps would be arriving using the reinforcement rules. I had not previously used the rules for reinforcements or build up areas. As with all scenarios it was a bit of a stab in the dark.
Above and below the French begin their main attack. Fortunately for the French a steady and ample flow of MO would ensure an unimpeded advance.
The Brits - mixed with Brunswickers and Dutch-Belgians - decided to keep their powder dry and remain hidden. In the distance the around 30 French guns began to pound the Allied line that bravely stood on a hill facing the barrage.
One French division moved straight forward while the other edged around the British and Allied left flank.
The French were extended on each side of the Allied line. On the above flank, a French heavy battery tore holes through a British brigade as they were held in place by the presence of chasseurs.
Throughout most of the game it seemed that the mismatch in points would be too much. The British needed their Prussian allies on the field. Alas this was not to occur in force until turn 10-11. In retrospect I think I would have the whole Prussian relieving force arrive on Turn 4. That would create a far more desperate struggle and not give the French player the ability to simply monster the British player - who effectively had few choices to make throughout the evening.
Above, the British eventually decided to yield the ridge. This was a wise move then the dice gods spoke and two Allied units disappeared to incredibly effective French fire (eg: the player rolled 5 sixes on just 7 dice.)
The British had shuffled sideways to place more units firmly on the objective. These units were stand firm for most of the game. Allied losses accrued most quickly on their far left.
Finally, Prussians ... but too few.
To face the threat the French move into the toward and eventually into the town.
My new Prussians ... the first time on the field. I should mention that my friend Nick had also deployed his freshly painted British and Brunswick battalions tonight.
Furious battle erupted on the left as the British light dragoon reserve tried to smash the French. Despite choosing not to form into square (prepared) to face the charge, repeated charges resulted in little loss to the French. The dice gods continued to smile.
More Prussians arrived by the 11th turn ... but it would be to no avail. Very low (2 on 2d6) MO dice rolls stifled any chance of attack. The Prussians would not move more than once after deployment. The new figures were not lost but they didn't really get to fight either. The Lithuanian dragoons picture below did monster and destroy a French chasseur formation while landwehr cavalry rode down a French battery. But these losses did not trouble the French.
The Hand of God ... ? Thought that was just soccer?
Finally, the British Foot Guards were down to a single fatigue (hit point? health?) and French units lined up to deliver the coup de grace. We called it at that point - an easy French victory with the Allies never really getting into the game.
The Blucher rules work extremely well but - as with all games - it is very hard to design effective scenarios (especially for 3-4 players) that give everyone a sense of inclusion, possible victory and participation. I think I'm actually suffering from 'scenario fatigue' at the moment after a couple of weeks of none too successful attempts. I need to invest some time and read the 'Scharnhorst' rules for Blucher and have such things done for me. Just not enough time in the day after work, wife, daughter, and painting time to plunge into scenarios.
But that in no way is a comment on the Blucher rules. These - for me - simply shine as the best set of Napoleonic rules as they suit my desire for big battles. This I see as a major feature of the period.
I look forward to my next order of Prussians arriving from CGM (cheers, Dermot) so I can paint my last 4 infantry units. The Prussian army is near completion. I can actually reflect on the last almost 4 years of painting where I have produced 26 battalions, 6 cavalry regiments and 18 guns + skirmishers and officers - that's 1000 miniatures just on foot alone. Not bad - for me - especially as this was achieved after getting my daughter to bed at night (who is the same age (4) as my 15mm Napoleonic project.) I do look forward to some more aimless painting - driven by whimsy - rather than being locked into such a huge project. I think something smaller - like 100-150 15mm miniatures - will be getting my attention first ... Hawkwood's condottiere quite possibly.
