Wayne (French) vs. Tony L (Austrians) - Battle of the Basement final March Battle
French Win: 8 - 5
I am attaching the log file to this message so I will just highlight the battle.
My plan if the cards were right were to get the HA unit close and the 2 GRZ units in the center up as quick as I could to get their 5 dice firing into play. Wayne started the blood fest by firing at the Bieber-led line units in the center, scoring one hit but killing the leader on the first turn. After some maneuvering and volleys, the Austrians managed to take revenge on the Bieber killing by eliminating a line unit on the right with a LC attack to square a line unit followed by a volley which eliminated them. At 1-1, the situation was decent for the Austrians but having seen and read the other reports, I knew it was an eventuality that the French strength would be brought to bear. As it played out, Wayne was able to conduct 2 Cavalry Charges on their left, the first causing a casualty but the second causing mass devastation as 3 more casualties were inflicted, leaving the game at 5-1 with 3 CU units poised to dash off the board to make it a wipe out. At that point, the only card worth playing was a Bayonet Charge and luckily, there were 3 Austrian LN units within 1 hex movement to charge the CU, actually forcing one to stay as he couldn't retire and reform. That charge took 2 CU units and breathed life back into the Austrians. The battle moved to the center as volleys were exchanged and melees were conducted and repulsed, resulting in the game being tied 5-5. Then the lone CU unit on the left acted and destroyed a unit of LC and their leader on the edge, leading to a 7-5 margin, with the cavalry breakthrough moving that CU unit off the board for the win.
In all, a well fought battle which I enjoyed, even though I am now owner of the basement.