Game 41 : Borodino Centre : playtest for 2017 game

This was Borodino again. In 2017 it is planned to have a larger game on about 800 square feet of table. This was part of the playtest I wanted to do. The game needs to last 3 days at a minimum. I chose to do the central section, from the Kolotcha stream down to the start of the woods after the Fleches and before Utitsa. These areas are subject to a separate playtest.

The forces involved were substantial, in the area of 20,000+ figures fielded.

Main combatants were for the French

Davout, Ney, Junot (1 Division) and 3 Reserve Cavalry Corps. The Guard were in reserve. For the actual game, certain conditions will need to be met to allow the Guard to be released.

The Russians were based on Raevski, Dokhturov and Borodzin plus the equivalent of 3 Cavalry Corps. A large battle! Everyone should know the battle, so below are a series of pics with a simple caption/legend

 

Looking out from the Great Redoubt to the woods to the west

 





Looking from the southern Fleches. The woods from the previous pic can be seen in the far distance

 

This is an assault by Ney and a Division of Davout on Semonovka village which is just to the left of the pic

This is the same attack but now viewed with Semonovka just to the right of the pic. This was a major attack supported by all arms.



 

 

 A screening/containing attack on the Fleches. This would get wrecked and was reinforced to keep the battle going.

 

 

French light troops are trying to scree/skirmish the redoubt. The French would lose a lot of men against the Redoubt without success. It was clear, in the playtest, that the Redoubt is indeed a pivotal feature upon which the Russian defensive line is hinged. 

French Reserve cavalry pouring through between the Redoubt and the left flank of the attack on Semonovka.

 



Prelude to a storm. The attack on Semonovka about to go in.

The Reserve cavalry from both sides clash between Semonovka and the Redoubt. In all, over 16 regiments, mostly heavies, would get involved.

More of the above

The initial attack on the Fleches is repulsed by Russian Grenadiers. More assaults would follow and the Russians would become exposed eventually.

The next French assault on the Fleches succeeds in suppressing the guns and forcing the Russians to defend from the rear.

A French Division attempting to outflank the Great Redoubt which is to the left of the pic.

 

The attack on Semonovka viewed from the French side.

 



The cavalry clash between Semonovka and the Great Redoubt viewed from the French side.

More of the above

The Russian view from the Great Redoubt. It would remain in Russian hands with only light casualties.

 



 

More cavalry join the fray. Anyone see a spare horse?

 

A different view of the French division trying to flank the Great Redoubt. Russian infantry from behind the Redoubt would thwart this attempt with horse artillery support.



 

And finally, more cavalry charging backwards and forwards to glory!

To conclude, the playtest worked well and the game easily lasted 3 days. The action was non stop and results were unpredictable which bodes well. The Russians held the line but were hard pressed. Final reserves available would have been the French Guard and the Russian Guard, less the Cuirassier division.

It wouldn't be normal without the rogue's gallery again or the lucky general gathering!

 



The guys are all regulars, I still think Iain, on the right, appears to be smiling about something that none of the rest of us can quite see!?!?

 

Next stop is one for Carlo down in Aussie: "Sands of Sudan" 28mm figures, strewth, the relief of Jandu!!!!

 

 

 



Game 40 : Prelude to Smolensk

This is a very short report on another test game we played. At the end of May, we plan to pay a game set in early 1941 on the Eastern front. The idea will be to pitch a German Panzer formation against a Russian defence based on infantry divisions and tank divisions. This was a playtest  of the game. The force composition was a single Panzer division for the Germans and a partially dug in Russian infantry division. The Russians would be reinforced by a Tank division, the Germans receive no reinforcements. We included an air component, more advantageous to the Germans and the Russians had a few Force composition choices to make, each with their advantages and disadvantages. 

 

The big mistake I made was to forget taking pics. Big mistake. So, I've tried to show the OBs for each side on the Excel layout I use. If you can read it great, if you can't then I have to leave it to your imagination.

Either way, you can see that all the kit has a colour coded label and this is reflected in the sheet. The first sheet is German. Give one sheet to each German and they just keep tabs of their allocated troops. Add a double side laminated reference play sheet and a double side laminated weapons sheet and that is all the paperwork required. Its a method I've used since 1993 and it still holds up well. Its even better when I spend more time laying it out on an Excel spread sheet and maximising font sixe to A4 page. The things we do when we have time on our hands.

 

The Russian forces have a triangular infantry division and a tank division with two tank brigades, each of three tank battalions. One brigade is made up of T26s, the other brigade has a full mix of tanks, KV1, KV2, T28, T26. There is a recce btn with BT7s and so a lot of variety.

 

 As I said, a short and sweet report. I didn't want to ignore the game as it still took a weekend to play. But apologies for the lack of pics. I will rectify that for the next battle which I will report on this week

The battle was a good game with respect to seeing what happened when both sides were utilising the full length of the table (24'). There were spaces everywhere. The Germans managed eventually to gain a tactical advantage but it was close as the loss ratio for both sides was about even. The Germans were attacking, and no matter how good you are, you will always take losses on the attack. The key is the balance between persisting with the attack or halting the attack to regroup and then redeploy if need be and go again. The table space allowed this to happen and it worked well. As usual, a good time was had by all.

 

 

And finally, its never complete without the rogue's gallery. There was a new player to our merry men, Tony who is on the right hand side. An experienced gamer, his input is very valuable as WWII is an area where he has done an awful lot of research. Just retired from the Army, so he tends to know what he is commenting on!

Next stop, Borodino playtest, 1812!!

 

 

 



Game 39, Supagame 1 : Kharkov

This game was the madness that was played out in a hotel in January. We had 20 players and about 600 square feet of table. We were in the hotel for a whole week. It was a two part game, reinforcements and repositioning occurring during the week. The games in the hotel, this being the first one, are being called  "Supagames" and it is hoped it becomes an annual event.

I hope the post illustrates the size and scope of these big games when played with good kit on good terrain with enthusiastic players.

The pics are in chronological order but it would take far too long to try and explain all the action.

That will have to wait until I publish the WWII rules as part of this game. The idea is to have a book with the rules and the whole planning sequence of this game; kit, terrain, OBs, player planning etc along with a commentary of how the game played.

 

 

 

 

The above are the three tables. Each table is 32.5' long and 6' deep, a playing area of about 600 square feet.

 

 

This pic gives a good idea of player density per table. Space was plentiful as the game utilised all the tables simultaneously, a result of deployment and flank marches.

 

 

I've included this pic as it shows how hidden deployment is done. Numbered markers go on the table and then the kit is placed on the numbered squares on these boards. It does away with the need of maps!!! The on table markers are numbered on one side and plain on the other so that although the other side can view the overall forces they are potentially facing (treat it as top level intelligence), they cannot see the detail. I've taken this system from guys called Grant and Craig who have their own rules called Cornish Combat Command. 

 

 

In the immediate foreground are two of the said on table markers. These are Russian markers.

 

 

 

The caption should read, "is this sheet the right way up?" or "in which building have they hidden the money?"

 

 

This shows the maximum player density, you always need to take care in big games that the action is well spread out.

 

 

Not sure what to say about this one! Attempted camouflage? Pleading for assistance? Laying down the law, literally?!

 

 

 

Two closer style shots showing the action. We had areas of fluid battle in the open, assaults on dug in troops, fighting through villages and woods, the lot!

 

 

The air forces were also there. Each side had about 20 aircraft each, organised into missions.

 

 

I like this pic because it shows a nice model bridge that is the centre of attention of both sides. The Russians would eventually secure both sides, after a week of fighting!!

 

 

 

 

More general action. All the pics were taken whilst the action was taking place. I mention it so you can note that the use of status markers is minimal. Again, you have to be careful that you don't have a myriad of markers or paperwork on the actual table otherwise it detracts form the spectacle.

 

 

A pic looking up to Kharkov. The Russians never go there, but not for a want of trying. The bridge at the bottom of the pic would survive in German hands until the last day.

 

 

This is the action on the other approach to Kharkov which could be seen in the background of the pic before this one.

 

 

 

Just a pretty battle scene.

So there you have it, lunacy enjoyed by the masses. The gaming was good, it all worked well. The players all played in a good spirit and had a great time, win or not win. Difficult to say there are losers when the event was such a success.

 

The "Supagame" for next year is Borodino 1812. Table size could be up to 810 square feet!! And figure numbers ?!?!?!? I now need to lie down!

Enjoy

Game 38 : Eylau 1807

This game was fought in December, oops for the delay in posting. Eylau is the famous battle where snow played havoc with visibility and sense of direction and resulted in the Corps of Augerau being effectively wrecked.

This game would see similar results, but the impact was disastrous for the Russians. Eylau is a well known battle so I will leave readers to refresh themselves as to the layout of the battlefield and the opposing forces. The deployment of both sides, as it happened, largely mirrored historic deployment and so without further delay!

 

 

This is the Russian right flank. Eylau is in the upper middle right of the picture

This is a head on view of Eylau viewed from the Russian lines

The Russians started an attack from the right flank. Part of the reasoning, not unreasonably, was to get to grips with the weak French left and hopefully draw reserves I this direction. L'Estoq and Ney were being played historically, both would arrive at some point.

The French plan was similar. Drive forwards on the Russian right, engage until is was unsafe due to numbers and the retire to the original starting positions. The result of this was Soult's smallest Division attacking twice its numbers. But the tactic would pay dividends. The entire Russian wing would end up getting embroiled in this fight.



 

Augereau advance against the Russian left, predicting the arrival of Davout. The idea is to fix the Russians and then destroy them piece meal. However, the Russians have no intention of just sitting there. They attempt to retire to forma new line, expecting an attack on an exposed flank.

 

The Russians start to redeploy as Davout has started to arrive to their rear. Their timing was quite good and the chase was on to trap these Russians.

 

Davout's flank attack has carried the flank, but unfortunately it has attracted the attention of all the Russian reserves. Davout begins to redeploy to face this onslaught! But help  was at hand.

 

 More Russian reserves preparing to attack Davout.

 

On the Russian right, the fight for the village reaches a pivotal point. The entire French Division is committed against their larger sized counterpart. The end result would be a victory for the French and the capture of the village. It would be short lived as the Russians quickly rally and prepare to retake the village. The French would not trust their luck a second time and so retire.

 

 



The French have cleared the first village on the Russian left flank and are now moving to rescue the flank attack itself at the second village. Just behind, you can see the French Reserve cavalry being launched at the Russian left centre where a hinge is being formed as the French force back the left flank.

 

This shows the cavalry manoeuvre from the Russian centre.  

 

The French centre continues with its attack. In the bottom right of the pic, you can see Russian cavalry that initially tried to halt this attack and then found themselves out of position and not being able to use their numbers. They are trying to quickly extricate themselves and redeploy. Not too easy in snow!

The Russian cavalry, along with the Russian reserve, now add their weight against Davout. 

A French man with a smirk as Soult disengages his Division from the village fighting on the left and takes up new positions to face of L'Estoq, who is expected at anytime.

 

French cavalry begin to swarm through a gap at the Russian hinge. This attack would be the critical part of the battle.

Soult relaunches his attacks on the left flank with his remaining two Divisions. L'Estoq has also arrived. The Russians and Prussians also attack.

The French left repulses L'Estoq's cavalry, just!!

 

Soult's troops advancing with their own cavalry support from massed Light cavalry Regiments.

 

 

And a last[pic just to show the free for all that sometimes occurs. Troops everywhere going in all directions! Great!!

 

 

Well, four of us are having a good time, not sure about the guy in the front!?!?! He's lucky, just retired. Younger than me! Shouldn't be allowed!

The next game will be a short report from a "bout of madness" that has already taken part. A very large WWII game on 600 square feet of table in a hotel with 20 players. I know I am mad, but this just confirms it!!