KOLIN! A MAURICE REFIGHT AT MOAB '12

As I mentioned in my previous post I played two demo games at MOAB this year. On day two I played a game of MAURICE against Zels. We decide to play the KOLIN scenario straight out of the MAURICE rules. Zels would command the Austrians and I the Prussians.

As you can see the position the Austrians held was rather formidable.

I decided I would use my NATIONAL ADVANTAGES to their ermm, full advantage.

My plan was simply to fall with all my force on the enemies left flank, (my right as I looked at it).

In essence the same plan Frederick The Great had but on the OPPOSITE FLANK than in the actual historical battle.

I divided my army into 4 forces, one of all my cavalry, one of infantry (including all my 'ELITE' infantry) one of all my artillery and one of all my remaining infantry.

I started with an oblique move by my leading infantry Division with the intention of securing the heights on the Austrian left. I hoped that I would be able to turn the Austrian left back onto the centre and then unleash my Cavalry into the Austrian rear. I would refuse my left.

My greatest fear was the Austrians' would attack my left as I fell on their left.

As it played out my mix of STEADY LADS and LETHAL VOLLEYS proved decisive, and despite some excellent rally's by Zels Hungarian infantry I was eventually able to cave in his left flank.

My two 'ELITE' units of Prussian Grenadiers performed way above expectations driving in the enemy and beating of counter attacks.

Once I was on the heights and had turned Zels left flank he conceded defeat.

Another great game of MAURICE!

Here are some photos from the game

 ABOVE:The Austrian Army deployed on the high ground and garrisoning the towns.

 ABOVE and BELOW: My initial deployment.

 ABOVE and BELOW: My 1st move. My infantry begin their advance on the heights. The garrison in the town inflict some early pain.

 ABOVE: My artillery attempt to drive the garrison out.

 ABOVE: My brave Grenadiers drive the Austrians and Hungarians back.

 BELOW: The Prussian Cavalry move up in support of the Grenadiers and Musketiers.

 BELOW: The situation at the close of play,

All the miniatures were provided by Zel and they were for the most part the very nice OLD GLORY 15mm miniatures. They were based on 1 inch squares.

Comments welcomed.

Cheers

MOAB '12: Sacile 1809 FoG:N style

At Moab this year I played in two demo games.

The first was a refight of the Battle of Sacile 1809 between the French dominated 'Army of Italy' and an Austrian army under the command of Archduke John. We played using FoG:N rules.

Deployment was as per the actual historical battle, and the scenario was straight out of the FoG:N rule book. Victory for the French required the Austrians being "Driven from the field", (which was always going to be tough).

 

Our plan was to pin the enemy in the centre and attempt to envelope both flanks, (well at least attack from our left)

The terrain was not very favourable for an attack, and my greatest concern as commander of the French was that the isolated 4th Division of Barbou would be singled out for some real punishment.

I say isolated as a river separated the 4th Division from the two French divisions on its left, and bad terrain on its right complicated any assistance coming from that direction.

As it turned out my worse fears were realised.

The Austrians were able to delay and stall any attempt at an advance on our left, and the terrain provided a real encumbent to an advance on the right. I should probably sat defensively in the centre, but the mission brief didn't allow for such caution and the central division was hammered by a combined arms assault that saw it destroyed.

 ABOVE: The river that runs between the 4th Division and 3rd Division.
BELOW: 3rd Division prepares for battle.

 BELOW: ADCs from 3rd Division gaze in the direction of the doomed 4th Division.

 BELOW: Severoli's small Italian Division.

 BELOW: Part of the Austrian Army.

 ABOVE: HUZZARS!!! (the Austrian type)
BELOW: The French Light Cavalry Division. They saw no action.

 BELOW: The 4th Division advance.

 BELOW: The 4th Division halt!

 BELOW: The Commander of the Light Cavalry Division stuck in a traffic jam of troops.

 BELOW: The Light Cavalry Divison attempt to fan out and find a way through the throng of troops.

 BELOW: 2nd and 3rd Divison troops stalled by an Austrian Mixed Division

 BELOW: Austrian Dragoons charge lead elements of the 3rd division who attempted to link up with the 4th Division.

 BELOW: 4th Division gets pummelled by a wave of Austrian 'Big' Brigades.

 ABOVE and BELOW: 4th Division is slowly but surely destroyed,...

 BELOW: Eventually 1st Division gets into action,...

 ABOVE and BELOW: 3rd Division and 2nd Division are checked by the Austrians as the remnants of 4th Division rout to the rear.

 ABOVE: General Barbou suddenly finds himself in Austrian company.
BELOW: 2nd Divison and the Light Cavalry Division are left to wonder what might have been.

 

The game was played to a conclusion in about 7 hours and I think everyone agreed the rules work well.