OT2019 Round 1

M507 - Liebertwolkwitz - (morning) 14 October 1813
Game 1
Russian Army: Bangla (9)
French Army: Rik (7)

The battle started with a French push on their left. The Russians countered by advancing there too, and with the Cuirassiers to the front! This turned out to be a mistake, as the French cavalry charged, beat up on the Cuirassiers, but the Russians stabilised the situation and even pushed the French back. But more French cavalry arrived and, along with the their Lights pushing through the woods, the Russians' advance in the area proved catastrophic. 4-2 up by this stage, the French looked on course for the win. At this point, we had to adjourn and puck up the game on another evening (logfile 1).

The "second half" of this battle saw more French cavalry attacks, but this time often piecemeal, where they did have success but lost their own banner in the process. So both sides kept trading banners. But still, the French moved out to 7 banners and things looked desperate for the Russians. One more attack against a 2-block HC might just do it. But the Russian cavalry staged a fighting withdrawal, retreated beyond the range of the French grand battery, and then the Russians went to work. First they eliminated the advanced French cavalry. The leader got away ... though he was later killed by some marauding light infantry. They, with the score at 7-7, the Russians poured artillery fire into a square in the woods. Three turns they tried. In the final turn, two blues, then a leader kill (1 in 54 altogether) sealed a very hard fought win.

Rik had the cards early on, and definitely made the most of them. Thank heaven the cards and the dice changed as the battle wore on.

Second game next Thursday (Oct 10).

Game 1
Mark McG (Allies): 8
Greg O (French): 9

Greg can talk on this one, but it was a series of bloody cavalry clashes that Greg won by a banner.

Game 2
Mark McG (French): 9
Greg O (Allies): 6

I aimed to play this using the Grand Battery to smash the centre and then clean up.
This does require the Grand Battery to actually hit things, which wasn't it's forté. Lack of Centre cards didn't help.
Only thing smashed was me, with a nasty hangover.

So things did descend into cavalry and infantry skirmishes, and at one point the Allies were up 3-0
Gradually the French whittled down the Allied cavalry, and started scoring some kills, but it wasn't until the cards turned and I drew a Cavalry Charge that got the French cavalry moving, and the banners started rolling in.

Yes, thanks for posting Mark. Game 1 was a classic back and forth. French led off with a successful kill on the leading HA, but the heavy and leader were cut off and killed in response. The cavalry charges and Elans flowed free and fast and the losses piled up. The flanks were sideshows with infantry moving around but accomplishing little. The French were able to achieve the 7 kills on artillery and cav for the narrow win.

M507 - Liebertwolkwitz (Morning)

Game 1
ToganAlper (French): 5
RiverWanderer (Coalition): 9

True to historical form, Murat's French quickly organised for a cavalry assault, a strong formation pushing into the centre of the battlefield. Meanwhile, the coalition had adopted a defensive posture and intercepted the attack from the coalition left flank. Both sides gradually ground the other down through a succession of mediocre attacks and counter-attacks. Eventually, the melée became an even exchange but Milhaud had broken through with his cavalry unit deep in coalition lines. A sweeping manoeuvre by Prussian Uhlans, supported by artillery, was enough to finish off the unfortunate French Dragoons and Milhaud himself was unable to escape, leaving the banners at 2:4 to the coalition.

Now, the coalition cavalry was emboldened enough to press forward; Hertier was lucky to evade. Further exchange of cavalry resulted, bringing the score to 3:5. With the centre quiet and much cleared, French infantry started to advance. Coalition cavalry retired at first but Cossacks then surged forward to harass the infantry on both flanks (aided by "Cavalry Charge"). One French light unit was able to withdraw in time but another fell to artillery fire (3:6). A French infantry attack seemed imminent on the coalition left flank which reorganised its defence accordingly.

In fact, the next French attack came on the opposite flank; light cavalry made short work of a Russian square ("break the square"; 4:6) and pressed on into Russian Uhlans. Thus, the scene was set for the final moments. Russian Cuirassiers came forward along with infantry and artillery to support the Uhlans. A devastating combined arms attack swept away the French light cavalry, taking Subervie with them (the second leader to fall, 4:8 ). Now at last, but late in the day, the French were able to play "Cavalry Charge" and take their revenge on the Uhlans (5:8 ) but the Russian Cuirassiers stood firm (barely). The coalition was now able to cut off the French heavy cavalry and attack it with a final combined arms attack, ending the battle on 5:9 to the coalition.

The dice were not friendly to the French on this occasion. Cossacks in particular led a charmed life and so were able to give great service throughout the battle.

Thanks to Togan for a good game.

Return match to be arranged soon.

M507 - Liebertwolkwitz - (morning) 14 October 1813
Game 2
Allied Army: Michael Stanley (scipio1zama) – 9 banners (Actually a sudden death win – 4 French Cavalry & 3 French Artillery units were eliminated, as well as a Light Infantry unit.)
French Army: Nigel Douglas – 7 banners

(NOTE – both of our games were erroneously played with the 90 card Command deck. While reviewing the log file for game 2, I noticed that Chris had pointed this out to us, but in the heat of battle, neither Nigel nor I noticed his comment at the time. Future games will be played with the correct 75 card Command deck.)

The game started off with some French artillery Grand Battery shots in the center which badly damaged a Prussian HC. He was eventually chased back into Gulden-Gossa, where he remained cowering for the rest of the game. After some back & forth, an Allied Grande Manoeuvre combined with a Call Forward Reserves placed 5 Russian units right in the face of the French left. The Russian FA was quickly destroyed, but Allied Élan (5 for 5 roll) caused severe damage to French LT, LC and HC units. French command (card) problems limited their response, and another Allied Élan card eliminated the French LT. The Allies also Called Forward more Reserves and a Prussian CU joined the fray. The French now played yet another Élan card, got a 5 for 5 roll and destroyed a Russian CU and LN, and severely damaged the Prussian HA. Eleven turns had passed, and the decks had been reshuffled 3 times already.

At this point the French lead in captured banners, 3-1, but there were a lot of weakened units in the front lines for both sides, especially the French. The Allies played a Recon in Force and a Leader Bonus Order Tac card, and amazingly were able to eliminate a French LC, FA and 2 HC. A French Grande Manoeuvre allowed him to pull back other damaged units from the left to the center and protect two lone leaders. Now another Allied Élan card with a good roll resulted in the elimination of a French LC and damage to two French FA and a LT, but also severe damage to a Prussian CU. The fighting having shifted to the center, the French probed and reduced the Russian and Prussian Lancers to 1 block each. The Allies attacked and, completely whiffing the battle that was expected to succeed, instead succeeded in the battle that had little chance of success, eliminating a French FA, but losing the Prussian CU in the bonus attack. The next 3 turns saw the French picking off damaged units – a Prussian HA and Lancer and a Russian HA – while the Allies only succeeded in damaging the last remaining French FA on Gallows Hill. Each side was now just 1 Cavalry or Artillery banner away from a sudden death victory, and each side had a 1-block unit in range. But it was the Allied turn, and a Center Assault saw Gorchakov and a Russian LT melee the French 1-block Artillery with 3 dice – two horses and a single crossed sword for the winning banner - a close, just-in-time victory over a gallant opponent. (Side note - units on the Wachau flank never engaged, most never even moved.)

After posting this, I will attempt to post the log file for this game, and also the log file for game 1, which Nigel won. He posted the write-up a week ago.

Logfile for Mike vs Nigel game 2

OK, hope I did this right this time.

M507 - Liebertwolkwitz - (morning) 14 October 1813

Game 1

Gonzo (French) - 9

Gileforn (Coalition) - 5


Start was not a classic for this map. French didn't push the Russian horse artlilery. Otherwise French army was building a line, also with artillery. Cossaks helped Coalition to block for some time French artillery, but then were destroyed. The first part of the game was very quick and without any big casulties. All have been changed when coalition lost there leader. Step by step French army was going to there victory. As a result Coalition tried to take a maximum at the last turn, but can't doing anything special.

Game 2

Gileforn (French) - 9

Gonzo (Coalition) - 5

This game was very nervous and started from the attack to the horse artillery and battle back with canister. French heavy cavalery made a good raid to the Coalition position. As a result it was destroyed but previously made some casualties. At the next step French army used a GM and created an artillery line, but Coalition used Short Supply that destroyed that line. Cavalery attack with leaders destroyed one atrillery and pushed back the other. Only one thing helped to the French - two Hold line tactic cards. So artillery stayed at position and made a weak battle back. After this Coalition had a big problem with throws and luck. Good rush at their right flank was finished when 4 blocks lancer cavalery can't destoryed 1 block Light cavalery with a leader. They tryed to do this more than wice, also with banner reroll. As a result 14 dices were thrown and it was still alive. Light French infantry at the same flank was pushed to form a square in the forest and stayed with 1 block after Coalition light infantry attack. French side had more luck and after rally these two units were recovered and 2 blocks were returned to them. Meanwhile Coalition has taken a position for cavalery charge that can change the situation. But French arny used smoke and stopped them a little bit. Then it was again unlucky situtation for the Coalition. All French units stayed alive, casualties after very good cavalery charge were too small. Artillery had finished unlucky Coalition day with bombarding. It was really very strange and I undesrstand my opponent. No luck is awfull. Thank you for the game and hope that next time dice throwing will be with better result.

Game 1
mantra (Coalition): 9
rfdoane (French): 6

The game started with the French playing a lot of scout cards on their left. This gave a little space for the Coalition to position up and start pushing the center for the first few banners. The French held a lot of center cards for the first half of the battle, and could really only push there. The Coalition pushed back the center thrust, taking the lead with 4 banners, all the while massing up both L and R flanks for their push. I was dreading this, especially on the French L because of a lack of CC cards there. When the French finally did come in hard on the left, a few timely TC cards (Inf. battle first and canister) where able to blunt their offense and repulse them. Gradually, the Coalition were able to beat back the hoard on the left and crawl ahead in banners. Feeling emboldened the Prussian CUs started hitting and squaring up the French on the other flank, which were later dealt with the Russian Inf. for the win. It was a long battle (2 files worth). Rob fought well, but a few timely cards reversed his advantages.

Game 2
mantra (French): 9
rfdoane (Coalition): 2

The French HC came out of the gates fast and attacked the HA in the center for the first banner. The Coalition countered and were able to bag both the HC and its leader. For a little revenge the French Arty on the hills let lose and mauled and pushed back the Coalition Cav. The French really tried to press hard on their Right here, pushing into the 2 wood hexes with Inf. and range firing on any Cav. that were holed up in that corner. The Coalition were in a bit of a bind for a while, as Cav vs. woods don't really work well; especially when the French drew up some Cav. out of range but in striking distance just in case the Coal. Cav. decided to come out to play. Eventually, the French Inf were retreated out of the woods, but they were still a threat. Switching flanks the French then, pushed into the other woods on their right. This drew the Russians forward there, as well as in their center. Fearing a Coalition Cav. charge (6 units?? of HA and Cav. at least were lined up 3 hexes away from the central hills), the French Short Supplied one HC and then charged in with 2 LCs and an LT (in the woods). This worked very well in the French favor, and as it turned out the Coalition didn't have the Cav. Charge card after all. The French LCs were driven back to the hills, but largely still an effective force. The battle finished off mainly in the center, with back to back combined actions of French Cav. and Arty.

M507 - Liebertwolkwitz - (morning) 14 October 1813
Game 1
Russian Army: Rik (1)
French Army: Bangla (9)

The French began to push out their cavalry early, whilst the Russians advanced on their right flank. Ripe for a cavalry attack, the French charged, putting the Russians in square, almost killing off the cuirassier unit and generally looking in total command on that flank. But the Russians somehow stabilised the situation, and even looked threatening there so the French withdrew.

On the other flank, as the Prussians deployed, the French took the woods. This manoeuvre seemed to work as it tied up several Prussian and Russian units eliminating the lead unit. It turned out the distraction was simply because the Allies had no right flank cards to operate elsewhere so, when the French attacked on the other flank again, it was difficult for the Russians to resist.

A second French cavalry charge and follow up eliminated the two supporting artillery units on the Russian right, then forced the infantry that was left into square. It became a matter of time.

As the French player, I had a superb opening hand, and the die rolls throughout were pretty good as well, so Rik was up against Lady Luck as well as myself. For a while, it looked like the Allies could get the upper hand, especially after the first French charge, but you have to have the cards to seize the opportunities when they come along.

Logfile attached.